Schumer vows to only pass infrastructure package that is 'a strong, bold climate bill'

Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerSenate panel unanimously advances key Biden cyber nominees Overnight Energy: Schumer to trigger reconciliation process Wednesday | Bipartisan bill would ban ‘forever chemicals’ in cosmetics | Biden admin eyes step toward Trump-era proposal for uranium reserve GOP senator: I want to make Biden a ‘one-half-term president’ MORE (D-N.Y.) vowed he “will not pass” an infrastructure package that removes the climate provisions of President BidenJoe BidenJapan to possibly ease COVID-19 restrictions before Olympics 14 Republicans vote against making Juneteenth a federal holiday China supplies millions of vaccine doses to developing nations in Asia MORE‘s American Jobs Act.

“Here’s what I want to assure people: I will not pass an infrastructure package that first doesn’t reduce carbon pollution at the scale commensurate with the climate crisis. We are gonna have a strong, bold climate bill,” Schumer said Wednesday night during a town hall organized by New York’s Working Families Party.

Thank you for taking a stand, @SenSchumer.
He is absolutely right: Any infrastructure package must center bold climate action #noclimatenodeal pic.twitter.com/DdghYg1Z6U

— Evergreen Action (@EvergreenAction) June 17, 2021

Schumer’s comments come as environmental groups have pressured Democratic lawmakers not to decouple the climate provisions from the infrastructure package.

Ten Democratic senators have signed a “No Climate, No Deal” pledge circulated by the group Evergreen Action, vowing not to vote for a package without those provisions. Those senators include Sens. Martin HeinrichMartin Trevor HeinrichFBI warns lawmakers of violence from QAnon conspiracy theorists Overnight Energy: Company officially nixes Keystone XL pipeline | Government watchdog finds failings, but no Trump influence, in clearing of Lafayette Square Democrats blast Biden climate adviser over infrastructure remarks MORE (N.M.), Michael BennetMichael Farrand BennetPast criticism of Trump becomes potent weapon in GOP primaries Hillicon Valley: Big Tech critic Lina Khan named chair of the FTC | Lawmakers urge Biden to be tough on cyber during summit with Putin | TSA working on additional security regulations following Colonial Pipeline hack Senators introducing B bill to help narrow digital divide MORE (Colo.), Ed MarkeyEd MarkeyThe Hill’s Morning Report – Dems to go-it-alone on infrastructure as bipartisan plan falters Democratic patience runs out on bipartisan talks Senate passes bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday MORE (Mass.), Alex PadillaAlex PadillaDemocratic divisions threaten Biden’s voting push Senate Latino Democrats warn about low Hispanic vaccination rates Hispanic Caucus endorses essential worker immigration bill MORE (Calif.), Tina SmithTina Flint SmithTop union unveils national town hall strategy to push Biden’s jobs plan Bipartisan agreement on need for better information about college costs To reverse the teaching shortage in low-income communities, give educators incentive to stay MORE (Minn.), Jeff MerkleyJeff MerkleyDemocrat presses Haaland on oil and gas review The Hill’s Morning Report – Dems to go-it-alone on infrastructure as bipartisan plan falters Democratic patience runs out on bipartisan talks MORE (Ore.), Sheldon WhitehouseSheldon WhitehouseDemocratic patience runs out on bipartisan talks Zombie Tax punishes farmers to fill DC coffers Progressives threaten to block bipartisan infrastructure proposal MORE (R.I.), Ben CardinBenjamin (Ben) Louis CardinThe Hill’s Morning Report – Biden on Putin: ‘a worthy adversary’ Antsy Democrats warn of infrastructure time crunch ‘SECURE 2.0’ will modernize retirement security for the post-COVID American workforce MORE (Md.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenThe Hill’s Morning Report – Dems to go-it-alone on infrastructure as bipartisan plan falters Democratic patience runs out on bipartisan talks NYC progressives anxiously watch Maya Wiley’s ascent MORE (Mass.) and Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenDemocrats shift tone on unemployment benefits Grassley meets with moderate House Democrats on lowering drug prices Four states emerge as test case for cutting off jobless benefits MORE (Ore.).

“Senator Schumer is right: If there’s no climate action, there should be no deal on infrastructure,” Evergreen Action executive director Jamaal Reed said in a statement Thursday. “With Democratic majorities in both chambers and momentum building for bold climate action, we cannot settle for climate denial masquerading as bipartisanship.”

Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinSen. Manchin paves way for a telehealth revolution Manchin meets with Texas lawmakers on voting rights Schumer tees up sweeping election bill for vote next week MORE (D-W.V.), an essential vote to pass any measure under reconciliation with a simple majority, has said he will not commit to backing a reconciliation package containing the bill’s climate aspects. This potentially puts Manchin at odds with those in the chamber who have committed to including the climate provisions in the final version.

“My belief is that the bridges and roads and other traditional infrastructure … have to be simultaneously bolted to the climate provisions and the family-planning provisions that match the promises … that we’ve made,” Markey said Wednesday afternoon.