Merkley voices support for ‘Green New Deal’

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) released the following statement Thursday after joining Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY 14) to release a Green New Deal:

“Today, I joined Senator Markey and Representative Ocasio-Cortez to release a resolution outlining the principles of an economic mobilization to address climate chaos.

“This resolution highlights that we must eliminate carbon pollution, the damage of which we see around the globe and in each of our communities. But it goes much further, seizing the opportunity to transform our economy to generate millions of good-paying jobs, more opportunities for communities, and a more just and more prosperous nation that gives everyone a chance to thrive.

“For too long, we have seen inequality soar, social injustices fester, worker protections and labor unions erode, and wages stagnate. As the rich and privileged consolidate power, our communities struggle for clean, safe water, to access quality health care, to afford education, and to recover from more common and powerful natural disasters.

“We must fundamentally change our economy to support workers, communities that have long been denied economic opportunity, and our rural economies that have been left behind.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues and critical stakeholders in an inclusive, transparent, and community-driven process to develop a suite of policies to act on the key principles of this resolution.”