Rush leadership on energy bill applauded  by leading environmental group

CHICAGO -- The leadership displayed by U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (IL-01) and his legislative team en route to last Friday’s historic 219 – 212 vote in support of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), was acknowledged yesterday in an opinion editorial in the Huffington Post by Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of the non-profit environmental policy organization Green for All. Rush was a member of the House whip operation, organized by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (CA-30), where he was responsible for helping secure votes for this important first step in America’s clean energy policy.  Rush pressed for the inclusion of provisions that ensured that low-income and working class families would not be adversely impacted by rising energy costs.  Rush also played a leading role in crafting the jobs component of this historic legislation, which will promote quality, career-oriented middle-class employment for historically disadvantaged groups, including low-income individuals, women and returning veterans.

In her commentary in yesterday's opinion editorial, Ms. Ellis-Lamkins said this, "This unexpected success would simply not have happened without a broad range of groups—many of whom are not known for their engagement in climate and energy issues—coming together for a better, more equitable ACES.  This coalition was made up of civil rights, social justice, labor, environmental, faith and community groups…Champions like Representatives Bobby Rush, Emanuel Cleaver and Ben Ray Luján, in particular, participated in the discussion and fought for their communities."

A link to her complete commentary is posted here:

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