U.S. Republicans set 'Green New Deal vote' in bid to divide Democrats

MARCH 26, 2019 / 8:05 AM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO

Timothy Gardner
3 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in a move aimed at dividing Democrats, set a vote for Tuesday on their “Green New Deal” resolution that seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions by moving off fossil fuels.

The Green New Deal, introduced last month by Democrats, marked the first formal attempt by lawmakers to define legislation to create big government-led investments in clean energy like wind and solar power, infrastructure and social programs.

The goal of the non-binding resolution is to speed a transition of the U.S. economy away from burning fossil fuels and emitting greenhouse gases blamed for climate change, linked to more intense storms, floods and droughts. But the vote, slated for 4 p.m., is occurring before the plan has had the chance for a national debate or hearings in Congress.

Republicans have used the plan to try to sow discord within the Democratic Party, painting their rivals as shifting far to the left and embracing extreme policies.

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