By Ramona du Houx

February 4, 2021

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, introduced legislation that would require President Biden to declare a national climate emergency. In it, the lawmakers argue that the United States is “out of time and excuses” to deal with the climate crisis.

“It will give the President the power to redirect military funds to build clean energy systems, marshal private industry for clean technology manufacturing, generate millions of high-quality jobs and finally put an end to dangerous crude oil exports,” said The Center for Biological Diversity.

Under the National Emergencies Act of 1976, Biden could unlock sweeping presidential powers to be able to organize resources to mitigate climate change.

Previously they introduced simular legislation in 2019 demanding Trump declare the National Climate Emergency, knowing it wouldn’t pass but wanting to draw attention to the climate crisis and environmental inequities

“We’ve made a lot of progress since we introduced this resolution two years ago, but now we have to meet the moment. We are out of time and excuses,” Ocasio-Cortez said in the statement. “Our country is in crisis and, to address it, we will have to mobilize our social and economic resources on a massive scale.”