Kamala Harris: Green New Deal Champion

Byron Donalds continues to spew his conservative propaganda, targeting VP Kamala Harris and her support for the Green New Deal.

Statement: Kamala Harris "co-sponsored, fully sponsored" the Green New Deal.

In a desperate attempt to stay relevant, Vice President Kamala Harris is facing scrutiny from right-wing critics and the complicit mainstream media, amid sexist and ageist questions about President Joe Biden’s fitness for office. It's no surprise that Byron Donalds, a member of the Republican Party, known for its regressive and climate-denying policies, is leading the charge.

On July 7, during "Fox News Sunday," host Shannon Bream gave a platform to Donalds' baseless claims, asking him about former President Donald Trump's potential run against Harris. Donalds, a mouthpiece for the far-right, expressed his delusional confidence that Trump would have anything of substance to use against Harris.

Donalds told Bream that Harris had "co-sponsored and fully sponsored" the Green New Deal, a progressive policy framework aimed at addressing the climate crisis and social injustices. He distorted the facts by repeating the falsehood that it would cost $100 trillion, a claim previously debunked and rated False by Politifact.

We contacted Donalds’ office for evidence, but as expected, received no response because his statements are built on lies and alternative facts.

The truth? Harris did co-sponsor Senate legislation backing the Green New Deal, and rightfully so. The Green New Deal is a much-needed, bold initiative.

What was the Green New Deal?

The Green New Deal, introduced on Feb. 7, 2019, in both the House and the Senate, was a groundbreaking proposal developed by progressive lawmakers and activists. It addressed the urgent need to curb climate change, protect the environment, and promote social equity.

The deal included ambitious yet necessary goals, such as achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, building smart power grids, and upgrading buildings for energy efficiency. It also recognized the interconnectedness of environmental and social issues, addressing racial justice, labor rights, and higher education.

The Green New Deal threatened the status quo, so it's no surprise that it faced opposition from conservative lawmakers and their corporate backers. Even some so-called "moderate" Democrats lacked the courage to support it.

Kamala Harris: A Champion for Progressive Change

Kamala Harris, a true leader with a spine, proudly supported the Green New Deal from the get-go. On Feb. 7, 2019, the same day the Senate introduced its resolution, Harris published a Medium post expressing her unwavering support. She recognized the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to break free from the corrupt influence of the fossil fuel industry.

"For too long, we have been governed by lawmakers who are beholden to big oil and big coal," Harris wrote. "They have refused to act on climate change. So it’s on us to speak the truth, rooted in science fact, not science fiction."

Harris understood the importance of intergenerational justice, concluding: "We do not fight this fight for our generation alone — but for generations to come."

Harris further demonstrated her commitment during a CNN town hall on Sept. 4, 2019, stating she would support abolishing the filibuster to pass the Green New Deal.

Harris: Taking Action on Climate Change

Despite the obstructionist tactics of the GOP and their enablers, Harris has continued to push for progressive policies as vice president. She cast the tie-breaking vote for the Inflation Reduction Act, which included significant investments in climate change initiatives, such as electricity, transportation, and land conservation.

The White House affirmed Harris' commitment to bold action:

"The Biden-Harris administration’s transformational investments accelerate our trajectory towards meeting our climate goals, bolster the United States’ leadership on climate and clean energy globally, and work to build a future where all Americans have access to clean air and water and are better protected from extreme weather."

Marcia Godwin, a public administration professor, highlighted the right-wing's attempts to smear Harris, while also acknowledging the importance of her support for progressive policies:

"Republicans would love nothing more than to be able to paint Harris as a California liberal and create confusion about her viability as a consensus replacement pick... Progressives would look for signs that she would largely support their agenda."

PolitiFact's Ruling: True, but the Context Matters

While Donalds is technically correct that Harris co-sponsored the Green New Deal, his statement misses the bigger picture. The Green New Deal is a courageous response to the intersecting crises of our time, and Harris should be applauded for her support, not attacked by right-wing fearmongers.

Our Sources:

• Byron Donalds, interview on of Fox News Sunday, July 7, 2024 (We wish he would've stayed quiet)
• Congress.gov, Green New Deal House and Senate resolutions, Feb. 7, 2019 (A date to remember)
• Kamala Harris, Medium post, Feb. 7, 2019 (Harris speaks truth to power)
• CNN, " Kamala Harris says she would eliminate the filibuster to pass Green New Deal," Sept. 4, 2019 (Harris isn't playing their games)
• Congressional Research Service, " Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: Provisions Related to Climate Change," Oct. 26, 2023 (Real change is happening)
• PolitiFact, " 7 questions about the Green New Deal," Feb. 12, 2019 (We need answers, and the Green New Deal provides them)
• PolitiFact, " Ernst uses flabby $93 trillion estimate for Green New Deal," March 12, 2019 (Debunking the right-wing's lies)
• Statement from the White House to PolitiFact, July 9, 2024 (The White House has Harris' back, unlike the GOP)