Arizona Climate Activists Urge Congress To Pass Biden's 'Build Back Better' Plan
Environmentalists gathered at the state Capitol on Friday morning, urging Congress to pass President Biden’s “Build Back Better” plan as part of his budget proposal. It would allocate $3.5 trillion in spending for climate change initiatives, health care and public schools.
Dora Vasquez is executive director for AZ Alliance for Retired Americans and says not only is the state a destination for retirees, and “Because of climate change, our grandchildren face record-breaking temperatures, dirty air, mega drought and raging wildfires — each of which continue to ravage our nation and our beautiful state.”
Katherine Cohen, organizing director for Arizona Youth Climate Coalition, also attended the press conference and said, “As a 17-year-old, I have already witnessed the impacts of climate change. Wildfire smoke is blowing into the Valley and choking us, and the West is in a severe water crisis. Action needs to be taken to preserve surface and groundwater supply for sustainable and long term use.”
The U.S. Senate narrowly adopted the budget resolution 50-49 in August. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has asked Democratic committee leaders to wrangle out the details for a final vote on the package, which ties in a previously passed bipartisan infrastructure bill.