Ranking Members Waxman and Rush Urge Committee to Hold Hearing on Climate Change as the Nation Battles Wildfires and Extreme Weather

WASHINGTON, DC— Today Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry A. Waxman and Energy and Power Subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby L. Rush sent a letter to Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton and Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield urging them to hold a hearing on the dangers of climate change.  Specifically, the members are requesting a hearing on the recent wildfires and extreme weather events the United States has experienced and the role global climate change has played in these events.

 The members wrote, “Willful ignorance of the science is irresponsible and it is dangerous… Congress cannot legislate responsibly if we do not listen to the experts and do not know what the consequences of our votes will be.  That is why hearings are essential and why we are once again asking that the Committee hold them.”