Harley Rouda

I do not think the Green New Deal is the way to do it, but I do think that we have the capacity, the intellectual, technical capacity to address these issues and do it in a way that not only benefits our country but the whole world.

We all agree that less CO2 emissions is better for our health and the health of our fellow Americans.

The bottom line is that the industries of the future are not going to be fossil fuel based.

For every $1 we provide for renewables we provide $3 for fossil fuels.

The science is settled. I want to recognize that I am interested in trying to work with members across the aisle.

If we don't get this right, businesses across the United States... will be making business decisions that could be wrong because the data is wrong.

A one percent under count of low-income workers in my district means a loss of approximately $160,000 in Federal funding for job training programs, apprenticeship programs, and career counseling.

In fact, in Orange County in my district, we learned that if there is a one percent under count of low-income students, schools could lose over a quarter million dollars in Federal funding.

Earlier this year, we learned the damage that could be done to our communities by just a one percent under count.

The Postal Service also has a ridiculous mandate to prefund in 10 years' time 75 years of retiree health benefits, unlike any other private or public institution.

As you know, there is a bipartisan bill sitting on Mitch McConnell's desk that would eliminate the prefunding mandate and free up tens of billions of dollars for the U.S. Postal Service.

We know that's a lie, and that lie continues to be continued by members in this committee on the other side of the aisle.

Let's level-set. For the thick-headed individuals that don't understand why we are here today, let me sum it up for you: First and foremost, mail is being delivered late...

We find that these costs to American businesses greatly outweigh the cost of making a clean-energy transition.

What we need to understand here today and what we explored in my hearings via our subcommittee is that it's actually the opposite. Inaction on climate change is more costly than if we took action.

The stakes are simply too high for that, because, as Dr. Shindell has testified here today, millions of American lives are at risk if we in Congress don't stop ignoring the experts.

When we talk about climate change, I think it is of utmost importance that we ground ourselves in strong scientific findings.

What we have learned from this substantial work is that climate change can no longer be thought of as something that may or may not impact us someday.

The utter stupidity in that statement lies in the fact that undocumented immigrants last year, according to the Internal Revenue Service, paid $9 billion in payroll taxes.

Defending the indefensible.

It must be extremely exhausting to come in here and defend the president of the United States when he takes unconstitutional actions such as he has done here.

It must be exhausting for Republicans when the president tweets out lies and you are forced to defend it.

But you guys are the tip of the spear and that is why I am encouraged to hear you say that, because that is what America wants to hear.

Unfortunately, since assuming office in 2017, the Trump administration has restricted access to sexual and reproductive health for women and girls around the world, limiting their ability to meaningfully engage in political and civic life.