Kaptur, 80+ Colleagues Urge Creation of Civilian Climate Corps

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, released the following statement after co-writing a letter, signed by more than 80 of her colleagues, calling on House and Senate leadership to include a Civilian Climate Corps in future infrastructure legislation.

"Tackling climate change and conserving our natural world is an all of America effort that will require resources, innovation, and ingenuity," said Rep. Kaptur. "A Civilian Climate Corps will create good-paying jobs in the Great Lakes region through programs that restore the environment and rebuild communities battered by economic disinvestment and ecological devastation."

Congresswoman Kaptur first introduced a bill to create a Civilian Climate Corps-style program in 2010 after the housing crisis and recession of 2008. Over the past several congresses, she has been joined in her efforts by members of the House and Senate - including Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), John Larson (D-CT), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Bobby Rush (D-IL) - who have introduced similar legislation, and co-signed today's letter.

The full letter can be found here. Congresswoman Kaptur's remarks at today's press conference unveiling the letter can be found here.

For more information contact Chris Dalton at (202) 897-7438 or Chris.Dalton@mail.house.gov.