Republicans ‘blindfold’ Americans from making climate-smart investments

Leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) condemn efforts by House Republicans to block climate-smart financial investments for Americans.

Yesterday, the U.S. House passed the Republican-led Protecting Americans’ Investments from Woke Policies Act (H.R. 5339) and Prioritizing Economic Growth Over Woke Policies Act (H.R. 4790).

SEEC leaders include Co-Chairs U.S. Reps. Doris Matsui of California, Mike Quigley of Illinois and Paul Tonko of New York, Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer of Virginia, Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania, Sean Casten of Illinois, Chellie Pingree of Maine and Katie Porter of California, and Chair Emeritus Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia.

The SEEC is a coalition of 98 members of the U.S. House of Representatives that was founded in January 2009 to be a focused, active and effective coalition for advancing policies that address climate change, promote clean energy innovation and domestic manufacturing, develop renewable energy resources, create family-sustaining clean jobs, protect our nation’s air, water and natural environment, and promote environmental justice.

“Once again, Republicans continue to dream up increasingly absurd culture wars for political gain while completely ignoring the very real challenges American households face every day,” SEEC leaders said. “For far too long, Americans have had to make significant financial decisions without a full picture of the risks to their investments. Notably, that includes the risk that climate change poses to certain investments. Instead of providing the American public with transparency regarding the ways in which extreme weather and other climate impacts can affect our pocketbooks and economy, House Republicans would rather blindfold the American people from making climate-smart financial investments.”

H.R. 4790 was sponsored by the Financial Services Committee’s Republican ESG Working Group leader, Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga of Michigan. The legislation intends to strengthen America‘s financial system, preserve the dominance of U.S. capital markets and protect the financial interests of investors and retirement savers, according to the Committee.

“Today’s legislation is a culmination of almost two years of work by House Republicans,” Huizenga said in a press release. “These sensible policies will encourage innovation, improve access to investment opportunities and foster economic growth. The radical mandates being put forward by the Biden-Harris Administration have made it harder, not easier for my constituents to retire with financial security. The Promoting Economic Growth Over Woke Policies Act corrects the misguided social policies that have been weaponized by rogue regulators and liberal activist investors at the expense of financial returns. By restoring choice and empowering retail investors, this package of bills is a win for all families across Southwest Michigan.”