Photos and stories from WV women activists bring home the desperate need for federal investments and the immediate benefits for Mountaineer families. Click here for photos.
Kanawha Falls, WV– Today, women from across the Mountain State urged the US Congress to pass the Anti-inflation Reconciliation Package by sharing stories and photographs that highlight ways the legislation will improve their quality of life. Speakers delivered their remarks in front of Kanawha Falls to focus attention on climate change and other environmental issues. They also spoke about how the federal investment package would reduce the cost of prescription drugs, cut energy bills by building cheap, clean energy, reduce the deficit, and make the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes.
“This summer we’re at a critical point to pass meaningful and science-based legislation to put us on track with the necessary emissions reduction targets. West Virginians cannot afford to miss this opportunity to pass climate provisions in a budget reconciliation package to avoid catastrophic impacts from unchecked emissions and warming. Now is the moment for our elected officials to lead and act on the world’s biggest threat, climate change” said Morgan King from WV Rivers.“Women in West Virginia are ready to see commonsense, future-minded investments in climate safety that bring jobs to our communities and protect our children’s health. We cannot miss this unprecedented opportunity to invest in solutions that will combat the worst consequences of the climate crisis” said WV Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force, Lucia Valentine.
Passing reconciliation would disproportionately benefit West Virginia, investing more than $3 billion into creating good paying jobs, improving grid reliability, expanding access to clean water, improving stormwater management, replenishing the Black Lung Disability Fund, and more. While the US Senate continues to negotiate a bill, women in West Virginia already know these investments matter so much to their state.
“Senator Manchin, we know you can find the path forward so that Congress can vote to lower health insurance costs, lower prescription drug costs, and help West Virginians receive the quality health care we deserve. We need you to pull up a chair to the negotiations table, use your considerable influence, and get the job done for the working folks here at home—Because nobody in West Virginia should have to choose between putting food on the table and buying medicine or going to the doctor.” said Mariah Plante from West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare.
“There is a lot at stake for the people of WV and our lands as we approach this time of Reconciliation in Congress. From the extension of federal programs for children and working families, to healthcare related expansions that support our seniors, to investments in clean energy and the economy it stands to generate; this is the best opportunity we’ve had in decades to elevate our state and improve the conditions of its people in such a meaningful way” said Kathy Ferguson from Our Future West Virginia.
For more information about the Anti-Inflation Reconciliations package and the importance of its climate and justice investments, visit the CCAN Action Fund website.
Contact: Holly Bradley, CCAN Action Fund, holly@chesapeakeclimate.
KC Chartrand, CCAN Action Fund. kc@chesapeakeclimate.org, 240-620-7144
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The CCAN Action Fund is the advocacy arm of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, the oldest and largest grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. For almost 20 years, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Further reading:
Congress: Pass Anti-Inflation Climate Reconciliation Package with Justice Investments
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