Real Green New Deal record

To the editor:

There appears to be some confusion in the community about my support of the Green New Deal. As such, I’d like to set the record straight.

I am already an original cosponsor of the Green New Deal. I became a cosponsor on the first possible day members of Congress could add their names in support, Feb. 7, though I had notified the Sunshine Movement of my plan to support even earlier.

Subsequent to that, there have been several letters from concerned constituents in The Riverdale Press asking that I support a bill I already cosponsor. This is not insignificant. The issue of climate change is far too important for there to be confusion on where I stand.

The folks in Riverdale and the surrounding communities want to know that their elected officials are doing all they can to curb dangerous greenhouse gas emissions, which I have worked to do for years.

I’ve authored amendments to bills mandating federal vehicles be either hybrid or flex fuel models.

I’ve cosponsored legislation like the Off Fossil Fuels Act that would bring us to 100 percent renewable fuels by 2035. Just this past week, I helped introduce H.R. 9 to block the president’s foolish decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement.

And, once again, I support a comprehensive Green New Deal.

Big problems require bold solutions. It’s nice to see so many people now agree with that sentiment when it comes to our changing climate. I think my record, also evidenced by my most recent 100 percent score from the League of Conservation Voters, demonstrates my commitment to protecting our planet.

Eliot Engel

The author is the U.S. Representative for New York’s 16th Congressional District, covering parts of the Northern Bronx and Westchester County.