Republicans Try to Buff Up Green Image With Environmental Caucus
Republicans seeking to bolster their green credentials on Wednesday announced the formation of a “Roosevelt Conservation Caucus” that they said would advance ideas for paring ocean pollution, cleaning up abandoned mines and protecting endangered species.
The new caucus is named after former President Theodore Roosevelt, who led a conservation agenda from the White House. Members said they expected the group to further an array of pro-conservation, pro-environment policies that generally encourage private sector innovation instead of federal regulation. That could include efforts to propel a new generation of emission-free nuclear power and carbon-capture technology as well as renewable energy sources, they said.
“I’m tired of playing defense on the environment,” said Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina who is spearheading the bicameral effort. “From a Republican point of view I think we need to showcase that we care about conservation, we care about the environment and we have innovative solutions that are not top-down regulatory solutions.”
This will be “a platform that will shine a light on the strong leadership and conservation and environmental stewardship of the Republican conference and caucus,” said Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado.
Environmental protection is a political vulnerability for President Donald Trump, who has questioned climate change science and championed efforts to ease Obama-era environmental regulations.
Just 29% of voters in a Washington Post-ABC News telephone survey released Monday said they approved of the way Trump is handling climate change.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-10/republicans-try-to-buff-up-green-image-with-environmental-caucus?srnd=premium
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