Heinrich: Build Back Better Framework Makes Largest Investment In Climate Action In U.S. History

WASHINGTON (Nov. 4, 2021) – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is heading to the 26th International Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, to promote America’s renewed global leadership in the fight against the climate crisis. Senator Heinrich will join several Senate Democratic colleagues as they meet with leaders from around the world to discuss how to work together to move forward on global climate action priorities. 

Senator Heinrich has played a key role in ensuring that the Build Back Better Framework, negotiated by Senate Democrats and President Joe Biden, makes the largest investment in climate action in U.S. history. The Build Back Better Framework includes provisions that Senator Heinrich has championed to make home electrification more affordable, launch a new Civilian Climate Corps, and deliver powerful incentives to build new clean energy projects, high-voltage transmission lines, and infrastructure for electric vehicles. 

“I’m proud to represent America’s return as a leader on climate action on the world stage. The Build Back Better Framework makes the largest investments in climate action in U.S. history. Climate action too often gets put on the chopping block, but not this time. We have worked tirelessly to make the Build Back Better agenda one that actually faces the climate crisis head on, including historic investments to build our clean energy economy and electrify our future,” said Heinrich.

The Build Back Better Framework includes language from Senator Heinrich’s Zero-Emission Homes Act to provide rebates for the purchase and installation of electric appliances and equipment in single-family homes and multifamily buildings, with additional support for low- and moderate- income households. The framework also includes language from Senator Heinrich’s Civilian Climate Corps Act that calls for a climate-focused national service program. Additionally, the framework cuts the cost of installing rooftop solar for a home by around 30 percent and offers an electric vehicle tax credit that lowers the cost of American-made electric vehicles. 

“Not only does this framework help our nation meet the climate crisis head on, it also makes transformative investments in our children and working families, and finally makes corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share. We will lower costs, cuts taxes, grow our economy, and invest in New Mexicans,” Heinrich added.

Heinrich concluded, “This is our moment to Build Back Better. This is our moment to meet the challenges that we will be judged by – by our children, grandchildren, and future generations. We can’t wait any longer. I urge Democrats in the House and Senate to take up this Framework, finalize text, and pass this historic legislation as soon as possible. Let’s get this done and let's Build Back Better.”

Senator Heinrich, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is focused on creating jobs of the future, confronting the climate crisis, modernizing America’s electric grid, and preparing New Mexico for the energy transition. As a national leader in energy policy, Senator Heinrich has championed the development of renewable energy projects on public and Tribal lands, the siting of transformative high-voltage transmission lines, and the research and adoption of innovative energy storage, clean hydrogen, and microgrid technologies.

COP26 is a global summit that brings parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

More about the Build Back Better Framework from the White House:

The most transformative investment in children and caregiving in generations:

• Offers universal and free preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds, the largest expansion of universal and free education since states and communities across the country established public high school 100 years ago. 
• Makes the largest investment in child care in the nation’s history, saving most American families more than half of their spending on child care.
• Delivers affordable, high-quality care for older Americans and people with disabilities in their homes, while supporting the workers who provide this care.
• Provides 39 million households up to $3,600 (or $300 per month) in tax cuts per child by extending the American Rescue Plan’s expanded Child Tax Credit.

The largest effort to combat climate change in American history:

• Delivers substantial consumer rebates and tax credits to reduce costs for middle class families shifting to clean energy and electrification.
• Ensures clean energy technology – from wind turbine blades to solar panels to electric cars – will be built in the United States with American made steel and other materials, creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs here at home.
• Advances environmental justice through a new Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator that will invest in projects around the country, while delivering 40% of the benefits of investment to disadvantaged communities, as part of the President’s Justice40 initiative.
• Bolsters resilience and natural solutions to climate change through a historic investment in coastal restoration, forest management, and soil conservation.

The biggest expansion of affordable health care in a decade:

• Strengthens the Affordable Care Act and reduces premiums for 9 Million Americans.
• Closes the Medicaid Coverage Gap, Leading 4 Million Uninsured People to Gain Coverage.
• Expands Medicare to cover hearing benefits.

The most significant effort to bring down costs and strengthen the middle class in generations:

• Makes the single largest and most comprehensive investment in affordable housing in history.
• Extends the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for around 17 million low-wage workers.
• Expands access to affordable, high-quality education beyond high school.
• Promotes nutrition security to support children’s health.
• Strengthens the middle class through a historic investment in equity, safety, and fairness.
• Invests in immigration reform.

The Build Back Better framework is fully paid for:

Combined with savings from repealing the Trump Administration’s rebate rule, the plan is fully paid for by asking more from the very largest corporations and the wealthiest Americans. The 2017 tax cut delivered a windfall to them, and this would help reverse that—and invest in the country’s future. No one making under $400,000 will pay a penny more in taxes.

Specifically, the framework:

• Stops large, profitable corporations from paying zero in tax and tax corporations that buyback stock rather than invest in the company.
• Stops rewarding corporations for shipping jobs and profits overseas.
• Asks the highest income Americans to pay their fair share.
• Invests in enforcing our existing tax laws, so the wealthy pay what they owe.

Find additional information about the Build Back Framework by visitingwhitehouse.gov/build-back-better.