Green groups press Biden, Democrats to boost climate spending with ad blitz

A cadre of environmental groups announced a multimillion-dollar ad campaign on Tuesday meant to push President Biden and congressional Democrats to go big with their plans to address climate change through infrastructure legislation.

Climate Power announced that the effort was aimed at convincing Democrats to rally behind “transformational investments in clean energy and infrastructure.” The campaign is supported by a handful of state and local leaders.

“We need to push for a recovery plan that focuses on good-paying jobs in infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy. We can put millions back to work and prepare states like ours to face climate change while creating unprecedented economic opportunity for businesses and prosperity for our people,” said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) in a statement accompanying the announcement.

“It’s time to take the next step: bold investments in infrastructure and jobs, especially clean energy jobs. That could be a trifecta for Nevada: get to work building infrastructure for our future, create millions of clean energy jobs that get people back to work — and in doing so, help combat climate change,” added Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D).

NBC News reported that the group will spend around $10 million on the ad campaign. The first television spot, titled “Calling All Builders,” is currently airing on cable channels in Washington, D.C., according to organizers. Additional ads are set to be released in the coming weeks.

Democrats in Congress began openly discussing an infrastructure package last week, just days after the president’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package became his first legislative victory in Congress and he signed the bill into law.

Some lawmakers have hinted that any successful infrastructure push would likely require Democrats to use the budget reconciliation process, as they did with the stimulus package, to avoid defeat at the hands of Republicans. Under the parliamentary process, bills can pass with a simple majority in the evenly split Senate, where Vice President Harris serves as a tie-breaker.

“Ultimately, it’s going to be put together similar to how the American Rescue Plan was put together,” Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) was heard telling Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Most likely, we’re going to have to use reconciliation.”