Kathy Castor: “Hearing my colleague speak with such passion and such intellect really does give me hope that we have the tools…”

“Hearing my colleague speak with such passion and such intellect really does give me hope that we have the tools necessary to tackle the climate crisis. But I think we also need to think about climate as a climate opportunity, and there are a few of these. Our newest colleague, Congresswoman Stansbury from New Mexico kind of hit on it. And it goes back to--I want to thank Mr. Casten--last year before the pandemic hit, Mr. Casten was kind enough to invite me to Chicago where we heard from environmental justice leaders. I also had the opportunity to travel to Detroit. I have listened to folks who are demanding greater equity all across America. Back home in Tampa, Florida, I see it; I understand that now the climate crisis presents us with a generational opportunity to rebuild our country and our infrastructure, so we are not leaving communities behind and we are not leaving any American behind. We can hammer out these investments that will help us rebuild the economy. Mr. Casten knows these examples quite well. Decades ago, unfortunately, the Federal Government put interstate highways right through the center of many communities. The harms from the pollution still linger today. In fact, Black Americans are exposed to 21 percent more fine, particulate matter pollution than the average American. I just don't think we can pass an infrastructure package that ignores these injustices.…”