Activists with the Sunrise Movement protest in front of the White House on June 4, 2021. (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Jul 14, 2021
The youth-led Sunrise Movement on Wednesday rejected Senate Democrats' newly unveiled $3.5 trillion spending framework as badly inadequate to the task of combating the climate emergency and urged the House to "go bigger" with its own proposal.
"This is the first time since 2009 that Democrats have control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. They cannot afford to waste this opportunity."
--Lauren Maunus, Sunrise Movement
"The House must put forward a larger investment than this and hold the line on what we need," Lauren Maunus, Sunrise's advocacy director, said in a statement. "Climate priorities cannot be cut. We expect Democrats to pass the boldest budget resolution before they go home for recess, and a robust infrastructure package soon after. There should be no compromise and no excuses to get this done."
The Sunrise Movement is demanding at least $10 trillion in spending over the next decade to tackle the climate emergency, which is wreaking havoc across the U.S. and around the world as global temperatures continue to rise unabated. Sunrise activists have been increasingly vocal in their push for a sweeping climate package in recent weeks, holding protests and engaging in civil disobedience in front of the White House to demand that lawmakers take bold action.
"The climate crisis is undeniably here," said Maunus. "Families are losing their loved ones to scorching heatwaves, homes are being swept up by hurricanes in the Gulf South--and yet, our politicians are refusing to act in line with the scope of the crisis."
\u201cBall\u2019s in your court, @SpeakerPelosi / @RepJohnYarmuth.\n\nCheering you on @PramilaJayapal & @USProgressives \ud83d\udcaa\u201d— Evan Weber \ud83c\udf05\ud83d\udd25 (@Evan Weber \ud83c\udf05\ud83d\udd25) 1626265298
The $3.5 trillion spending resolution that the Senate Democratic leadership outlined late Tuesday could set the boundaries of a legislative package that Democrats hope to ultimately pass through the filibuster-proof reconciliation process.
But the Senate and House must first pass identical spending resolutions, meaning House Democrats could introduce their own larger proposal and pressure the upper chamber to go higher than the current $3.5 trillion ceiling.
Leaders of the nearly 100-member Congressional Progressive Caucus have said that dozens of House Democrats are prepared to withhold their votes if the reconciliation proposal does not include their priorities in a range of areas, from climate to housing to child care.
The final reconciliation bill is expected to include sizable investments in green energy, but climate activists argue that the top-line figure agreed upon by Senate Democrats is an indication that the spending will not be enough to drive down carbon emissions with the speed scientists say is necessary to avert further climate catastrophe.
"Our leaders must take this crisis seriously," Maunus said Wednesday. "This is the first time since 2009 that Democrats have control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. They cannot afford to waste this opportunity."
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
The youth-led Sunrise Movement on Wednesday rejected Senate Democrats' newly unveiled $3.5 trillion spending framework as badly inadequate to the task of combating the climate emergency and urged the House to "go bigger" with its own proposal.
"This is the first time since 2009 that Democrats have control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. They cannot afford to waste this opportunity."
--Lauren Maunus, Sunrise Movement
"The House must put forward a larger investment than this and hold the line on what we need," Lauren Maunus, Sunrise's advocacy director, said in a statement. "Climate priorities cannot be cut. We expect Democrats to pass the boldest budget resolution before they go home for recess, and a robust infrastructure package soon after. There should be no compromise and no excuses to get this done."
The Sunrise Movement is demanding at least $10 trillion in spending over the next decade to tackle the climate emergency, which is wreaking havoc across the U.S. and around the world as global temperatures continue to rise unabated. Sunrise activists have been increasingly vocal in their push for a sweeping climate package in recent weeks, holding protests and engaging in civil disobedience in front of the White House to demand that lawmakers take bold action.
"The climate crisis is undeniably here," said Maunus. "Families are losing their loved ones to scorching heatwaves, homes are being swept up by hurricanes in the Gulf South--and yet, our politicians are refusing to act in line with the scope of the crisis."
\u201cBall\u2019s in your court, @SpeakerPelosi / @RepJohnYarmuth.\n\nCheering you on @PramilaJayapal & @USProgressives \ud83d\udcaa\u201d— Evan Weber \ud83c\udf05\ud83d\udd25 (@Evan Weber \ud83c\udf05\ud83d\udd25) 1626265298
The $3.5 trillion spending resolution that the Senate Democratic leadership outlined late Tuesday could set the boundaries of a legislative package that Democrats hope to ultimately pass through the filibuster-proof reconciliation process.
But the Senate and House must first pass identical spending resolutions, meaning House Democrats could introduce their own larger proposal and pressure the upper chamber to go higher than the current $3.5 trillion ceiling.
Leaders of the nearly 100-member Congressional Progressive Caucus have said that dozens of House Democrats are prepared to withhold their votes if the reconciliation proposal does not include their priorities in a range of areas, from climate to housing to child care.
The final reconciliation bill is expected to include sizable investments in green energy, but climate activists argue that the top-line figure agreed upon by Senate Democrats is an indication that the spending will not be enough to drive down carbon emissions with the speed scientists say is necessary to avert further climate catastrophe.
"Our leaders must take this crisis seriously," Maunus said Wednesday. "This is the first time since 2009 that Democrats have control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. They cannot afford to waste this opportunity."
The youth-led Sunrise Movement on Wednesday rejected Senate Democrats' newly unveiled $3.5 trillion spending framework as badly inadequate to the task of combating the climate emergency and urged the House to "go bigger" with its own proposal.
"This is the first time since 2009 that Democrats have control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. They cannot afford to waste this opportunity."
--Lauren Maunus, Sunrise Movement
"The House must put forward a larger investment than this and hold the line on what we need," Lauren Maunus, Sunrise's advocacy director, said in a statement. "Climate priorities cannot be cut. We expect Democrats to pass the boldest budget resolution before they go home for recess, and a robust infrastructure package soon after. There should be no compromise and no excuses to get this done."
The Sunrise Movement is demanding at least $10 trillion in spending over the next decade to tackle the climate emergency, which is wreaking havoc across the U.S. and around the world as global temperatures continue to rise unabated. Sunrise activists have been increasingly vocal in their push for a sweeping climate package in recent weeks, holding protests and engaging in civil disobedience in front of the White House to demand that lawmakers take bold action.
"The climate crisis is undeniably here," said Maunus. "Families are losing their loved ones to scorching heatwaves, homes are being swept up by hurricanes in the Gulf South--and yet, our politicians are refusing to act in line with the scope of the crisis."
\u201cBall\u2019s in your court, @SpeakerPelosi / @RepJohnYarmuth.\n\nCheering you on @PramilaJayapal & @USProgressives \ud83d\udcaa\u201d— Evan Weber \ud83c\udf05\ud83d\udd25 (@Evan Weber \ud83c\udf05\ud83d\udd25) 1626265298
The $3.5 trillion spending resolution that the Senate Democratic leadership outlined late Tuesday could set the boundaries of a legislative package that Democrats hope to ultimately pass through the filibuster-proof reconciliation process.
But the Senate and House must first pass identical spending resolutions, meaning House Democrats could introduce their own larger proposal and pressure the upper chamber to go higher than the current $3.5 trillion ceiling.
Leaders of the nearly 100-member Congressional Progressive Caucus have said that dozens of House Democrats are prepared to withhold their votes if the reconciliation proposal does not include their priorities in a range of areas, from climate to housing to child care.
The final reconciliation bill is expected to include sizable investments in green energy, but climate activists argue that the top-line figure agreed upon by Senate Democrats is an indication that the spending will not be enough to drive down carbon emissions with the speed scientists say is necessary to avert further climate catastrophe.
"Our leaders must take this crisis seriously," Maunus said Wednesday. "This is the first time since 2009 that Democrats have control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. They cannot afford to waste this opportunity."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.