Still, some lawmakers believe a recognition of the threats posed by climate change is essential when drafting mitigation, preparedness and response solutions to extreme weather events. "We've seen the economic toll that climate change takes on communities through larger and more frequent storms, fires and floods," said Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), ranking member of the Joint Economic Committee, in a statement to E&E News yesterday. "We must ensure that our recovery efforts include improvements in infrastructure that prepare us for a new climate reality. As Congress moves forward with additional disaster relief, it should require relief funds for the construction of resilient infrastructure and also prioritize mitigation efforts that save us money." Heinrich yesterday released a report on the need to rebuild infrastructure from natural disasters in a way that limits future risk.
Nov 02 2017
Politico - Morning Energy
Joint Economic Committee Democrats released a report Wednesday arguing the federal government must adapt how it rebuilds following natural disasters to be more resilient and that every dollar spent on disaster preparedness provides almost $4 in future benefits. Take a glance here.
“The details of the secretive Republican tax proposal emerging today reveal a plan that does very little for working families and may even increase their tax burden, while providing deficit-busting giveaways for others that bankrupt our ability to invest in a stronger economy tomorrow. We need to make sure the tax code is working for everyday New Mexicans, growing the economy, creating good paying jobs, and supporting families and communities across the country. This GOP plan is a setback on almost every level.”
In the wake of devastating hurricanes that have struck the United States and wildfires that destroyed nearly 6,000 homes in California, Joint Economic Committee Democrats released a report on the need to limit risk from future disasters by rebuilding infrastructure to guard against natural disasters. The destruction we have witnessed makes clear that merely rebuilding without taking actions to ensure that infrastructure, homes, and businesses are made less susceptible to the next natural disaster will only lead to higher costs down the road.
Oct 31 2017
Arizona Daily Star - McSally Can't Ignore Economics of National Monuments in AZ (Letter to the Editor)
Even if the administration and some in Congress don’t care about the intrinsic values of these places, they should appreciate the economic benefits they provide. In Arizona, outdoor recreation accounts for more jobs than defense, technology and aerospace combined. (US Senate Joint Economic Committee). A 2013 study showed nearly $28 million in economic benefits to Flagstaff from visits to local monuments. Martha McSally must pay attention to the economic needs of Arizona and vote against HR 3990.
Episode 3, “Debunking the GOP Tax Plan,” unpacks the Republican proposal that would give massive tax breaks to the wealthy at the expense of working Americans. The episode features Seth Hanlon, senior fellow at The Center For American Progress and former special assistant to President Obama for economic policy at the White House National Economic Council.
Oct 27 2017
Heinrich Statement on 3rd Quarter GDP Data
Today's GDP numbers show the resiliency of the economy this administration inherited. Instead of building on this foundation, President Trump has created a climate of uncertainty, neglected Americans in the wake of disaster, and failed to advance any agenda that will create the good jobs American workers need.
Democrats weren't prepared to yield any credit to the new administration. "Today's GDP numbers show the resiliency of the economy this administration inherited," Sen. Martin Heinrich (D., N.M) said in a statement. "Instead of building on this foundation, President Trump has created a climate of uncertainty."
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), ranking member of the Joint Economic Committee, praised the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) final rule to establish borrower safeguards on payday loans.
There is a great deal of work in front of us and I hope that today’s hearing can provide some perspective on the economic challenges and opportunities before policymakers. I am deeply concerned that the Trump administration has done little to support working families or build a stronger economy. Instead, the administration has turned its attention to a tax plan that will deliver significant tax cuts to the wealthy and force working families to foot the bill.