The following is a statement from Marty Hayden, Earthjustice Vice President for Policy & Legislation regarding the reintroduction today of the “Safe Climate Act.”

“Earthjustice applauds Chairman Henry Waxman’s (D-CA) leadership in introducing the Safe Climate Act to fight global warming pollution. For the second Congress in a row, Chairman Waxman has introduced the strongest global warming bill in the House. His bill, cosponsored by more than 125 members of the House, would place the United States on the path to reducing our emissions to the level scientists say is critical if we are to stabilize our climate and avoid catastrophic impacts from global warming.

“According to climate experts, we need to reduce global warming pollution by approximately two percent per year between now and mid-century. Under the Safe Climate Act, U.S. emissions of greenhouse gasses would be reduced to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

“Congress must enact legislation like the Safe Climate Act to protect our nation’s citizens, coasts, forests, and wildlife from the threats posed by global warming. As chair of the Government Oversight and Reform Committee, Mr. Waxman has also been shining the spotlight on this administration’s attempts to suppress and manipulate global warming science.

“Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced climate legislation with similar reduction goals in the Senate earlier this year. As chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Boxer has been leading the charge for global warming solutions in the U.S. Senate. Tomorrow will mark the sixth hearing her committee has held on global warming since January. We look forward to working with climate champions in both the House and Senate to pass legislation that will safeguard our planet’s climate for our children and grandchildren.”