Biden Omits Landmark Climate Law, Dems Unmoved
TL/DR –
President Joe Biden did not mention the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in his State of the Union speech, instead focusing on his administration’s investment in green initiatives and job creation. Biden spoke about his efforts to cut carbon emissions in half by 2030 and referred to the 2022 climate package that invested $369 billion in clean energy, creating jobs and expanding the availability of electric vehicles. Despite some Democrats wishing for more aggressive climate pledges, many supported Biden’s decision to focus on economic gains and promises like tripling the number of young people eligible to participate in the American Climate Corps.
Democrats have called for President Biden to better promote the climate achievements of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to the public. However, in his recent State of the Union speech, Biden left out mention of the historic climate law.
Instead, he discussed the billions of dollars spent on green investments and the resultant job creation during his presidency, affirming his commitment to significantly cut carbon emissions in half by 2030.
He detailed a few provisions of the 2022 climate and social spending package, which injected $369 billion into clean energy initiatives, such as green energy jobs and electric vehicles via subsidies.
Most climate advocates in Congress were not critical of this strategy. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) suggested focusing on the bill’s benefits rather than its technical name. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) agreed, pointing out that the IRA’s economic benefits often overshadow its contributions to climate change mitigation.
During his speech, Biden also lauded job creation through the CHIPS and Science Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law, two major legislative victories. He also addressed Republicans who initially opposed these laws but later celebrated their benefits.
Climate corps promise
![\"Sen.](\"https://static.politico.com/fb/bb/eae4569845e595503bef983a48f7/lawmakers-reintroduce-green-new-deal-35648.jpg\" "\\"Sen.")
Some Democrats desired more aggressive climate action from Biden. Despite this, his promise to triple the number of young people eligible for the American Climate Corps, a green jobs training and placement program, was well received.
The program, initially launched through an executive order, is a modified version of the “Civilian Climate Corps” concept advocated by progressives and popularized by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
GOP’s response
As expected, Republicans criticized Biden’s energy and environment remarks. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Garret Graves (R-La.) spoke out against the president’s “radical rush-to-green agenda” and “boneheaded energy policies,” respectively.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), a co-chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, critiqued the Biden administration for not having a clear transition plan to green energy, questioning the logic of spending billions without a defined strategy for energy delivery and price controls.
—
Read More US Economic News