Scott Powers
Winter Park’s U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy has joined the bipartisan Congressional Climate Solutions Caucus that was founded by and is led by Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo of Kendall and Democratic U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch of Boca Raton.
Murphy is one of six new members added – three Democrats and three Republicans – to a caucus that now numbers 29 Republicans and 29 Democrats, and includes six of Florida’s 27 members of Congress.
The caucus’s stated goal is to push common-sense solutions that address the root causes of climate change and mitigate its threats.
“Climate change poses a threat to Florida’s economy and our way of life, but it also presents an opportunity for the state to step up and lead on this issue,” Murphy stated in a news release issued by her office. “Clean air and water shouldn’t be a partisan issue, which is why I’m proud to join the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus. By working together across party lines, we’re leading the fight to reduce our carbon footprint, create well-paying clean energy jobs, and support research that addresses the threat to our communities. Florida must continue to lead the way in the development of alternative and renewable energies, and I’m working to ensure our beautiful state lives up to its full potential.”
From the start, the caucus has carefully walked the bipartisan line, bringing Republicans to a forum to acknowledge and address climate change, and Democrats to a forum where they can share the discourse with Republicans. In addition to Curbelo, the caucus includes Florida Republicans Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Miami and Brian Mast of Palm City. In addition to Deutch and Murphy, the caucus includes Florida Democrat Charlie Crist of St. Petersburg.
Deutch and Curbelo spoke out about the recent devastating hurricanes as evidence that climate change needs bipartisan attention.
“These new members are joining the caucus amid a devastating hurricane season, where major storms are gaining strength from the warmer waters in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico,” Deutch stated in a news release from his office. “We are witnessing the serious impacts of climate change right in front of our eyes. More and more members of Congress believe we need to respond to climate change right now, and I’m thrilled that they turn to the Climate Solutions Caucus as a forum for open and constructive dialogue.”
Added Curbelo, “The real-world implications of sea level rise have been on display for all to see in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean following Hurricanes, Harvey, Irma and Maria. I’m grateful these members are willing to step up and turn their concern into action by joining the Climate Solutions Caucus. This growing bipartisan coalition will be critical to ensuring Congress makes finding solutions to this issue a priority.”
In addition to Murphy, the new members are Democratic U.S. Reps. John Larson of Connecticut and Nydia Velázquez of New York; and Republican U.S. Reps. Pat Tiberi of Ohio, Chris Collins of New York, and Jack Bergman of Michigan.
