Congressional Democrats Reintroduce Controversial 'Green New Deal'

After initially being completely rejected by both Congressional Republicans and Democrats, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D) is reintroducing  her controversial  Green New Deal, and has even referred to this week as "Green New Deal Week." Hoping to receive support from President Joe Biden (D), the President has not signaled whether or not he supports the "GND."

The controversial piece of legislation received criticism from a bipartisan group of lawmakers back in 2019, but with Democrats having control of the Presidency, the Senate, and the House, lawmakers that support the bill are hopeful that it could be signed into law.

Rep. Ocasio Cortez praised the legislation, informing the measures that’ll be introduced along with the lawmakers that she’s partnering up with. Calling it the “Green nee Deal week,” she added that the Deal has received new Congressional cosponsors and that she will address issues related to certain cities with Missouri Rep. Cori Bush (D).  Ocasio-Cortez will also address issues with public housing with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (I),  “Civilian Climate Corps” with Massachusetts Rep. Ed Markey (D), and will address age resilience with Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree (D). 

Last March, the  Green New Deal was voted down in the Republican-controlled Senate. The final vote was 53-47, as some more moderate Senate Democrats also voted against the measure. Senators Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema, and Angus King voted against the Deal with Sinema calling it "a political game." Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R), who voted against it, called it an "unserious proposal"  that he believed would "bankrupt our nation."

To pour political salt onto Ocasio-Cortez's "GND" would, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz introduced his "Green Real Deal," the Republican response to climate change that would harness the power of free markets, embracing technological innovation and entrepreneurship, and it would also cut excessive government red tape.

Gaetz’s proposal calls for increased investment in clean energy technology and sources, like solar and nuclear power, while improving transparency and accountability for the benefit of customers, investors, and shareholders alike.