Environmental Groups Call on Democratic Majority House to Reject Fossil Fuel Money from Lobbyists

 

Photo: Solar Surge

Climate change is one of the front issues in the spotlight of the current 2020 election.  As the election dies down and the ballots continue to be counted, environmental groups and lobbyists are hard at work getting in touch with newly elected Senators along with re-elected Senators.  Pushing their agendas. 

The Democratic majority House of Representatives is now being solidified as the blog post is being composed.  With that being said, environmental groups are reaching out to Democratic Representatives with the following letter of expectation:

November 16, 2020

Dear Congressional Democrats:

As the 2020 election results are finalized, it is clear that Democrats will remain in leadership of the US House of Representatives. We call on all members of the Democratic Caucus of the House of Representatives to unambiguously commit to serving in the interest of the public, rather than corporations. To clearly demonstrate this commitment, we demand that:

● Representatives be disqualified from chairing a commitee with any jurisdiction (whether full or partial) over climate and energy, food and agriculture, and the financial and insurance sectors if they have accepted donations over $200 from executives, lobbyists, and PACs representing, respectively, fossil fuel, food and agribusiness, and financial and insurance sector corporations.

● Representatives be disqualified from serving in any leadership position within the Democratic Caucus if they have accepted donations over $200 from executives, lobbyists, and PACs representing fossil fuel, food and agribusiness, and financial and insurance sector corporations. 

We must build on the principles outlined in the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge, already signed by 54 members of Congress, which requires elected officials “not to take contributions over $200 from oil, gas, and coal industry executives, lobbyists, and PACs and instead prioritize the health of our families, climate, and democracy over fossil fuel industry profits.” Elected officials should similarly reject donations from food and agribusiness as well as and financial and insurance sector corporations.

Large food and agribusiness corporations, many of them virtual monopolies, have dominated food and agriculture policy to the detriment of family farmers, food chain workers, public health, and the environment. And without billions of dollars in support from Wall Street banks and insurance companies, fossil fuel companies and large agribusinesses would be unable to continue or expand activities that worsen climate change, harm communities, and result in human rights abuses.

The people of the United States are tired of their elected representatives sacrificing the health and well-being of people and the planet at the altar of corporate greed. The 2020 Democratic Party Platform rightfully asserts, “We will hold polluters and corporate executives accountable for intentionally hiding or distorting material information and for affecting the health and safety of workers and communities.” The House Democratic Caucus cannot credibly put these words into action if those in leadership and oversight positions take contributions from the polluters and profiteers they are supposed to hold to account. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

The tides are changing in support of fossil fuels.  More and more local municipalities are changing practices at the local level to plan for converting toward renewable energy resources rather than resorting to old fossil fuels.  Congress should act on the momentum and start thinking about a strategy for the individual states to transition toward renewable energy.