Letter: Congressional Republicans must engage in real conversation about environmental matters
Last September, we learned that 12 House Republicans, including Congressman Reichert of Washington, sponsored the Gibson Resolution supporting conservative environmental stewardship and acknowledging human impact on climate. Rep. Chris Gibson of New York led this effort right before Pope Francis’ visit to Congress.
House Resolution 424 would express the commitment of the House of Representatives to work constructively on creating and supporting economically viable and broadly supported solutions to measured changes in global and regional climates.
Representative Gibson and his co-signing colleagues are showing that not all Republicans are playing political football with climate change or environmental issues.
In contrast, at Republican debates, very few words have been said about climate or environmental issues. Example: Sen. Marco Rubio said: “America is not a planet,” suggesting that U.S. policies do not affect our environment or global climate.
More Congressional Republicans have got to step up and engage in a real conversation about environmental matters if the national Republican leadership is ever to be taken seriously as a party of governance. At least some Republican leaders are trying.
Readers should encourage their Congressional representatives to sign the Gibson Resolution, and to move it to full consideration by the House.
Charles A. Lo Presti, Richland
This story was originally published December 27, 2015 at 5:51 PM with the headline "Letter: Congressional Republicans must engage in real conversation about environmental matters."