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January 2, 2019

Democratic House Leaders Reject Green New Deal for Weaker Climate Committee
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Climate activists pushing for the creation of a Green New Deal Committee
when Democrats take control of the House this week were met with
disappointment Friday when presumptive incoming House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi announced the creation of another environmental panel instead.
The Select Committee on the Climate Crisis is set to be led by
long-standing Florida Congressmember Kathy Castor. Proponents of the
Green New Deal have argued that the panel will be too weak, as it will
not have legislative power and may not have subpoena power. The proposal
for a Green New Deal also sought to bar congressmembers who accept money
from the fossil fuel industry. At least 45 congressmembers have backed
the Green New Deal, spearheaded by incoming New York Congressmember
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. High-profile senators including Bernie
Sanders, Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren have also come out in support
of the proposal.


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