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The partisan narrative on climate change was disrupted today when 17 House Republicans re-introduced a resolution that affirms that climate change is real, human-caused, and needs to be addressed by Congress.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Emily Wirzba emily@fcnl.org
Direct: 202-903-2518

March 15^th, 2017, Washington, DC –

The partisan narrative on climate change was disrupted today when 17 House Republicans re-introduced a resolution that affirms that climate change is real, human-caused, and needs to be addressed by Congress.

“The leadership demonstrated by the 17 co-sponsors of this Republican climate resolution is such a hopeful step forward,” stated Diane Randall, Executive Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation. “This resolution shows that our moral obligation to address climate change and protect vulnerable communities transcends partisanship, and that there truly is political will to address this issue from both political parties in Congress. Now, more than ever, we pray that Congress will quickly pivot the dialogue towards meaningful climate solutions.”

As a 75-year-old Quaker organization, the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) knows that it takes persistent relationship building and grassroots advocacy over time to build bipartisan consensus for action in Congress. FCNL has been thrilled to work with Rep. Elise Stefanik and the other co-sponsors – along with our grassroots network and other religious organizations – to build support for this climate change resolution in the 115^th Congress.

“This resolution is the perfect opportunity for elected officials to demonstrate real leadership at a time when action on climate change couldn’t be more important,” stated Emily Wirzba, FCNL Policy Associate for Sustainable Energy and Environment. “All voices must be included at the table to craft effective solutions. I look forward to working constructively with these representatives to pass legislation that protects the most vulnerable and God’s creation.”

This resolution is a crucial reminder that a diverse group of Republicans, from Nebraska to Florida to Pennsylvania, are taking leadership roles in addressing one of our greatest global challenges. FCNL encourages them in their work, and thanks the original co-sponsors:

Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Rep. John Faso (NY-19), Rep. John Katko (NY-24), Repl. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), Rep. Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), Rep. Brian Mast (FL-18), Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-06), Rep. Pat Meehan (PA-07), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02), Rep. Mark Sanford (SC-01), Rep. David Reichert (WA-08), Rep. Barbara Comstock (VA-10), Rep. Tom Reed (NY-23), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Rep. Mia Love (UT-04), and Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-02).

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The Friends Committee on National Legislation, the oldest registered religious lobby in Washington, is a nonpartisan Quaker lobby in the public interest. FCNL works with a nationwide network of tens of thousands of people from every state in the U.S. to advocate for social and economic justice, peace, and good government.

Emily Wirzba

Emily Wirzba

Former Legislative Manager, Sustainable Energy and Environment

Emily Wirzba led FCNL’s lobbying work to achieve bipartisan recognition of climate change and action in Congress. She served as co-chair of the Washington Interreligious Staff Community’s Energy and Ecology Working Group.