Skip to content
All about finance. — All about business.

Increased Representation of Black and Brown Politicians in Congress is Necessary

Environmental pioneers within Congress revealed in a recent study. The Frontline delves into the influential role played by congressional members of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
Increasing Diversity in Congress Demands More Leaders Identifying as Black and Brown
Increasing Diversity in Congress Demands More Leaders Identifying as Black and Brown

Increased Representation of Black and Brown Politicians in Congress is Necessary

A New Era of Environmental Justice: The 117th Congress and Beyond

The 117th Congress, which started earlier this year, has surpassed its predecessor as the most diverse Congress in American history. This diversity, coupled with a renewed focus on environmental justice, promises a significant shift in the nation's approach to climate change and the protection of Indigenous lands.

During the 116th Congress, the House of Representatives passed numerous climate and environmental justice bills. However, these bills met an impasse in the Republican-controlled Senate. The passage of these bills could have a direct impact on Indigenous communities, many of whom are witnessing their ancestral lands being put up for sale to extractive industries.

Congressman McEachin, a prominent figure in these efforts, expressed his anticipation for continuing the fight for bold, inclusive environmental justice solutions alongside the League of Conservation Voters in the 117th Congress. In February 2020, McEachin and Chair Raúl Grijalva introduced the Environmental Justice for All Act.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is known for tracking and endorsing members of Congress who actively support environmental and climate justice causes. The 2021 LCV report showcased the climate and environmental justice efforts of members of the Tri-Caucus in Congress, although the exact list of environmental leaders of color in Congress was not directly provided in the search results.

Members of color in the 116th Congress, particularly Black and Latinx representatives, made significant strides in addressing climate change. Notable among these efforts was the introduction of the Clean School Bus Act in 2019, aimed at addressing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in communities of color. Senators Harris and Rep. Jahana Hayes led this charge.

In August 2020, Ocasio-Cortez and Vice President Kamala Harris introduced the Climate Equity Act. President Biden, who has promised to address the climate crisis and center justice and equity throughout his administration's legislation, has expressed support for such initiatives.

The success of these efforts depends on the political climate, particularly the actions of the Republican party and the preservation of the filibuster by Democrats. Under President Joe Biden and the new Senate, there is a possibility for the passage of bills such as the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act and Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, which would benefit Indigenous peoples.

As the 117th Congress continues, it is expected to focus on environmental justice solutions. The strides made in the U.S. House of Representatives to champion a sustainable future in the 116th Congress, as noted by Congressman McEachin, serve as a promising foundation for the ongoing efforts. The "climate revolution," as it has been dubbed, is well underway.

  1. The renewed focus on environmental justice in the 117th Congress, the most diverse Congress in American history, promises a significant shift in the nation's approach to climate change and the protection of Indigenous lands.
  2. During the 116th Congress, the House of Representatives, which will have a substantial influence in the 117th Congress, passed numerous climate and environmental justice bills that met an impasse in the Republican-controlled Senate.
  3. Congressman McEachin, a prominent figure in environmental justice efforts, has expressed his anticipation for continuing the fight for bold, inclusive environmental justice solutions alongside the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) in the 117th Congress.
  4. The LCV, known for tracking and endorsing members of Congress who actively support environmental and climate justice causes, showcased the climate and environmental justice efforts of members of the Tri-Caucus in Congress in their 2021 report but did not directly provide the exact list of environmental leaders of color in Congress.
  5. Members of color in the 116th Congress, particularly Black and Latinx representatives, made significant strides in addressing climate change, with Senators Harris and Rep. Jahana Hayes leading the charge with the introduction of the Climate Equity Act.
  6. The success of these efforts depends on the political climate, particularly the actions of the Republican party and the preservation of the filibuster by Democrats. Under President Joe Biden and the new Senate, there is a possibility for the passage of bills such as the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act and Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, which would benefit Indigenous peoples.
  7. As the 117th Congress continues, it is expected to focus on environmental justice solutions, with the "climate revolution," as it has been dubbed, well underway.
  8. The 21st century is seeing an increasing interest in environmental issues in various aspects of society, including art, business, and policy-and-legislation, reflecting a growing awareness and commitment towards environmental-science, climate, diversity-and-inclusion, and general-news concerns.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest