Senator Schatz joins the Senate Climate Action Task ForceThe Senate's Climate Action Task Force will hold an all-night call to action on Monday, March 10, urging Congress to address climate change. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who unveiled the plan and co-chairs the task force alongside Sen. Barbara Boxer, explained that the talkathon's purpose is "to break the pattern of the Senate and show the interest of at least 20 senators who will be participating through the night." Currently, 28 Senators are participating, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
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The Climate Action Task Force, launched on January 14, is not attempting to advance specific legislation, but is instead focusing on changing the dynamics of the climate change debate on the Hill. Nevertheless, its long-term goal is to spur Congress into passing laws that address climate change, both its causes (fossil fuel emissions) and effects (more frequent extreme weather). Senator Whitehouse insisted, "I'm a climate hawk, and I'm very confident that we can win, and I'm very confident that we can win sooner than people think."
Senator Whitehouse has been making floor speeches in favor of climate change action every week since April 2012. He's hoping the all-night climate talkathon will give a new impetus to the issue, and help muster public support and media attention.
In addition to Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, 27 other Senators will be participating in the all-nighter, which was primarily organized by Senator Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii. The full list of participants is: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker, Barbara Boxer, Maria Cantwell, Ben Cardin, Dick Durbin, Dianne Feinstein, Al Franken, Kirsten Gillibrand, Martin Heinrich, Tim Kaine, Angus King, Amy Klobuchar, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Chris Murphy, Patty Murray, Bill Nelson, Bernie Sanders, Brian Schatz, Charles Schumer, Jeanne Shaheen, Mark Udall, Tom Udall, Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Ron Wyden.