Connie Young - 5-10-2019 - Thanking Congress for climate votes

Thanking Congress for climate votes

 May 10, 2019

I’m feeling grateful to three Republican members of Congress who joined Democrats to vote for the Climate Action Now Act (HR 9), which would prevent the administration from pulling out of the Paris climate accord. They are Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Vern Buchanan of Florida. Having seen the suffering caused by sea level rise and more dangerous storms, they courageously put the welfare of their constituents above party politics.

Likewise, I appreciate Reps. Jim Costa and TJ Cox, who also voted for this resolution. They are paying attention to climate scientists and constituents who advise that addressing climate change now will save lives and cost far less than ignoring the problem.

Polls show that voters prefer candidates and politicians who reach across the aisle to work with members of other parties. Their ability to collaborate enables them to legislate more effective solutions than those resulting from the “my way or the highway” approach.

Let’s thank these legislators for working together for the common good.

Connie Young, Fresno

https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article230228979.html