In response to the initial results of today’s midterm elections, Evergreen Action Executive Director Jamal Raad released the following statement:
“Just months after passing historic climate legislation, Democrats across the country have defied historic trends and achieved one of the best midterms for the sitting president’s party in recent memory. During this election cycle, polls continually showed us that voters across the country expect bold climate action. And, unlike recent midterms, Republicans did not attack Democrats on the climate bill - a reflection of the fact that the majority of voters support the IRA and want leaders who will take action on climate.
“As we await further results in House and Senate races, it’s clear that tonight has been a significant victory for governors who have led on climate. Winning gubernatorial candidates such as Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan, Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico, and Tim Walz in Minnesota leaned in on climate action. After Congressional passage of the historic Inflation Reduction Act, leaders at the state level will have a more important role to play than ever in America’s fight against climate change. On the heels of their victories tonight, it is incumbent on climate champion governors to maximize every penny of the hundreds of billions of dollars in climate investments from the IRA for popular climate programs that protect our planet and defend vulnerable communities hit first and worst by climate change. And they should take tonight’s mandate from voters as a signal to pursue stronger standards in the most polluting sectors of our economy.
“As states lean in on climate action and the clean energy transition, President Biden must also accelerate his pursuit of climate progress via executive action. This includes using every tool within his toolbox to ensure a robust suite of executive actions—like protecting frontline communities and tackling pollution within the power sector—are pursued in tandem with IRA implementation and further legislative action at the state level. With the election over, it’s time to turn the page to the next chapter in climate action. We know what must be done, now let’s get to work.”
###