Sheldon Whitehouse On "Green" GOP Caucus: 'Hiding Behind The Innovation Fairy? Place Your Bets."
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Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said the GOP's opposition to climate action makes him skeptical much will come of the caucus. "But hope springs eternal, and I certainly applaud them for taking the first step. The question is whether it's a meaningful one or not, and that remains to be seen," he added. Others, such as Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a leading Senate environmentalist, don't expect any positive policies emerging from the caucus. "Can't wait to see what this group comes up with. Polluter-approved dodges and half-measures? Hiding behind the Innovation Fairy? Or something real? Place your bets," he said on Twitter.
The RCC includes numerous Republicans who are staring down reelection battles next year or who perennially fight tough campaigns in states where environmental action could appeal to swing voters. In the Senate, it includes Republican Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado, Susan Collins of Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, whom analysts consider among the most at-risk candidates in the 2020 elections. Caucus members Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Steve Daines of Montana and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia are also up for reelection next year, although they are not expected to face battles as fierce as some colleagues.
House members in the roster include Reps. Will Hurd of Texas and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. Both have staked out centrist positions in numerous areas, including the environment, and consistently go through close elections. Reps. Fred Upton of Michigan and Buddy Carter of Georgia, also Roosevelt Caucus members, could have difficult campaigns but are likely safer than Hurd and Fitzpatrick. Each of the Republicans' races could end up being a key to the party retaining control of the Senate or taking back the House majority.
The Sierra Club quickly denounced the caucus as yet another GOP environmental effort that is all bark and no bite.
"This greenwashing caucus won't provide Congressional Republicans with the political cover they want until they actually vote to protect the environment, take on the fossil fuel industry, and tackle the climate crisis," Melinda Pierce, the group's legislative director, said in a statement, pointing to votes the caucus's members took, such as to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling and to confirm Scott Pruitt as EPA administrator. Bill Snape, senior counsel of the Center for Biological Diversity, similarly called the effort a "political green masquerade" in an email circulated by environmental activists in Colorado this week.
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https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060727665
