The Green New Deal, a proposal by several progressive candidates who won seats in the 116th Congress, moved one step closer to a reality this week. Sen. Ed Markey joined Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in sponsoring a resolution that creates a framework for the Green New Deal, which aims to address climate change in the U.S. Rep. Bill Keating (MA-9) told Boston Public Radio on Friday that he supports the resolution.
“This is about reduction of the carbon footprint, it’s about ... having to make sure there’s funding for alternatives and renewables, and it’s really about dealing with the human element affecting climate change as well,” Keating said.
Among the expansive resolution’s list of goals is a commitment to fully end the use of fossil fuels in the United States, build an energy efficient high-speed rail system built “at a scale where air travel stops becoming necessary,” while creating “millions” of new jobs via government investment in infrastructure and alternative energy. Though the framework is not concrete legislation, Keating said it is an important step forward and a strong rebuke to the presidency of Donald Trump, who has been a vocal supporter of the fossil fuel industry.
“This is one of many instances where there’s a void with the administration, because it’s not a priority with them or they’re taking us backward. But this is why the last election was so important,” Keating said. “Now we’re in a position, at least in the House, to advance issues like this to the floor.”
Though there is speculation, primarily driven by Fox News commentators and CNN pundit Chris Cilizza, that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is not in favor of the Green New Deal, Keating praised her efforts to help rally support for the resolution behind the scenes.
