Van Hollen Announces Plan to Re-Introduce Carbon ‘Cap and Dividend’ Plan as Trump Signs Executive Order to Poison Atmosphere

Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced plans to re-introduce carbon 'cap and dividend' legislation as President Trump signs an executive order rolling back climate and environmental protections:

"Climate change is an economic, public health, and environmental crisis - but the Trump Administration is turning a blind eye to the clear and present danger it poses. President Trump is either ignorant to the basic facts of climate change, or he is willfully poisoning our atmosphere to benefit Big Oil and wealthy special interests. The health and prosperity of all Americans is at risk. We must fight back, and I plan to re-introduce the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act this spring as part of that effort. This legislation puts a price on carbon pollution and returns the proceeds directly to the American people, boosting the middle class and reducing our carbon footprint."

Senator Van Hollen has long advocated for the 'cap and dividend' approach to tackle climate change because it is a simple, fair, and effective approach to addressing the dangers of climate change. His plan, the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act, would put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans, boosting their spending power and our entire economy. Van Hollen introduced the bill in the House last Congress.

Earlier this year, a group of Republican leaders met with top White House officials to make the case for a similar approach to combat climate change that charges a fee on the first sellers of carbon and returns the proceeds to the American people in the form of a carbon dividend.

A University of Massachusetts Amherst study found a 'cap and divided' approach to tackling climate change would benefit families who need it the most. More than 80 percent of families would see more money in their pockets based on their research, even before taking into account the economic benefits of preventing the costly impacts of climate change.

The 'cap and dividend' approach has received bipartisan support, and the Washington Post called Senator Van Hollen's Healthy Climate and Family Security Act "elegant and effective" for its simple and market-based approach.