White House says to ‘expect more’ climate funding before President Biden leaves office
The Biden administration is on a mission to expedite the distribution of climate funds to solidify President Joe Biden’s green energy agenda before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. In a recent memo from the White House, Jeff Zients, the White House Chief of Staff, emphasized the urgency of pushing through as many initiatives as possible for the American people before Biden’s term comes to an end.
Zients stated that the administration is committed to allocating as much funding as possible before the transition, including utilizing unused funds from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to support various climate-related projects. The White House has also hinted at more forthcoming action regarding funding from the IRA, a key piece of the Democrats’ climate legislation.
President Trump has openly expressed his intention to repeal the IRA once he assumes office, labeling it as the “greatest scam in history.” While some House Republicans have shown support for revising the climate bill, House Speaker Mike Johnson urged caution, emphasizing the need for precision in any adjustments to the legislation. However, it is unlikely that the IRA will be completely overturned, given that the majority of the funds have already been allocated.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates issued a warning against Republicans and the incoming administration attempting to dismantle Biden’s climate agenda. Bates stressed the importance of upholding Biden’s signature laws, highlighting the positive impact of the IRA on American households. Bates also pointed out that Republican districts have benefited from the IRA, citing the creation of over 330,000 clean energy jobs and significant savings for millions of Americans on clean energy upgrades and electric vehicle purchases.
As the transition of power looms, the Biden administration is working tirelessly to secure its climate legacy and ensure that the progress made on environmental initiatives is safeguarded. Bates underscored the importance of preserving the projects already in motion under the IRA, emphasizing that these efforts have tangible benefits for American citizens. With the clock ticking down to Trump’s inauguration, the administration is determined to leave a lasting impact on the nation’s environmental policies.
