Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves has been named the top Republican on the newly reformed Climate Crisis panel. The panel will focus on threats posed by climate change, but will likely feature a partisan split on the origin of the threat. Graves, who agrees that sea rise poses a threat to the nation, says the appointment will give him a platform to raise awareness of Louisiana’s vulnerabilities.
“It gives us an opportunity to talk about other things like the coast of Louisiana, like our hurricane vulnerability, and really focus on these things that we can change and focus on the true crisis.”
The panel was formed in 2007 but was deactivated in 2011 when Republicans took control of the House.
Graves joins five other Republicans on the panel that will be led by Democrat Kathy Kastor of Florida. The Congressman says he’ll use his position to push back against climate change policies from non-energy producing states that would impact Louisiana’s economy.
“And not simply progress these policy ideas that will destroy Louisiana’s economy, they will destroy America’s economy, and put our companies and workforce at a competitive disadvantage.”
The panel, which has no subpoena or legislative authority, was brought back to life by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi amidst calls by a new wave of progressive lawmakers, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for a powerful committee that would flesh out the details of the Green New Deal. Graves says the GND doesn’t pass the laugh test and looks forward to it being discussed at the panel.
“So yeah look I would love to have that conversation with people and as a matter of fact if people feel strongly about it let’s let them implement that idea in their own congressional districts or in their own state.”
