Bill Gates visits Capitol to discuss climate change with new Senate caucus

Microsoft founder Bill Gates was spotted in the Capitol Thursday, planning to meet with leaders of the newly formed Senate Climate Solutions Caucus.

Sen. Christopher Coons (D-Del.), one of the founders of the caucus, called Gates “one of the most significant innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders of the last 50 years and who is a major player in climate change and global development and poverty issues.”

{mosads}The caucus, announced last month, has already added six new members and had its first meeting with several CEOs on Tuesday to discuss federal climate policy.

Coons said the meeting has no agenda, but he’s interested to hear Gates’s thoughts on what the country should be investing in and “what he thinks are promising technologies that could contribute to battling climate change.” 

Coons on Thursday told CBS This Morning that the caucus would look for “low-hanging fruit” where they can build consensus. The caucus has agreed not to forward issues unless they earn approval from all eight members.

In the same interview, fellow caucus member Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said it was important for Republicans to take action on climate change because “we look a bit like Neanderthals.”