How ‘Buy American’ Other Pro-American Policies Can Help Advocates Adopt Ambitious Climate Policies

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As Congress strives to pass landmark legislation to tackle climate change, it is clear that it will be by the narrowest margins with the most ambitious provisions at risk, as the pivotal Senator is from the state. West Virginia charcoal maker. Despite the polarization in Congress around climate action, our poll shows that there are climate policies that can break the partisan deadlock and draw voters across the aisle and concerned unions climate action could have a negative impact on their members. Policies that tackle climate change while strengthening domestic manufacture of clean energy have the potential to significantly expand support for climate action. These “Made Clean in America” policies can help us create new, well-paying jobs and make America a world leader in clean energy manufacturing while building a sustainable political coalition that ensures climate policy outlasts the worst. power fluctuations.

Data for Progress recently partnered with the National Wildlife Federation to understand how voters view climate action through the lens of US industry. Our poll found that 62% of Republicans are more likely to support government investments in climate resilience and clean energy – if the materials are made in America. We have also found that Republicans’ preferences for products made in the United States extend to their personal purchases. In a July 2021 study, we asked voters to consider a hypothetical situation where they buy solar panels for their homes: would they instead buy cheaper solar panels made overseas or more expensive solar panels made in America? While two-thirds of Republicans (61%) chose the more expensive, US-made panels, only 47% of Democrats and 52% of Independents expressed the same preference. By focusing our message on supporting US manufacturing, we can not only persuade climate skeptics to support these clean energy investments, but also get them to buy into the idea that ‘big government’ climate policy can. have a direct impact on their lives.

These Made Clean in America policies can reassure unions and senators alike Joe manchinJoe Manchin Biden: Negotiating assault weapons ban harder than infrastructure, Biden reconciliation deal says expanding medicare to include hearing, dental and vision a “reach” Biden says health insurance paid leave proposal is reduced from 12 to 4 weeks PLUS concerned that the switch to clean energy will leave their workers behind. These investments can bring unionized jobs, cheap energy and economic development to areas of the country that might otherwise not support democratic priorities, and ensure that investment in tackling climate change benefits those same communities. America will need to invest trillions of billions in clean energy over the next few decades, but those dollars shouldn’t go overseas, especially to countries with appalling work practices – they should go to American manufacturers. We shouldn’t install solar panels made by workers operated overseas, we should install solar panels made by union workers in America.

“Made Clean in America” is not only good policy, it is also good policy. The pandemic has exposed weaknesses in U.S. supply chains that would benefit greatly from a renewed legislative commitment to expand domestic manufacturing. Supply chains tend to be overlooked in everyday life, but when a ship lodges in the Panama Canal and becomes a meme or millions of American teens can’t buy a PS5, the people see the importance of supply chains. We need policies that put in place U.S. supply chains for semiconductors – an essential material for building solar panels, among others – to ensure that we always have an adequate supply for our energy conservation. own. Over the next few years, the United States will face a tightening supply chain as China struggles with power cuts. To meet these challenges, we need policies such as Manufacture of solar energy for the law introduced by the senator. Jon osoffJon OssoffDemocrats scramble over healthcare priorities for squeezed package GOP blocks revised Senate Democrats’ Election Bill Poll: Half of voters say US democracy is under “major threat ” MORE (D-Ga.) And the 48C Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit to create more incentives for solar and wind energy companies to manufacture their products here in America. Such policies would create high-quality jobs, reduce bottlenecks for the deployment of clean energy, and boost the competitiveness of the United States as the global market increasingly demands clean products.

Similarly, the federal government should ensure that the commercialization of technologies funded by federal R&D generates national benefits. The Bayh-Dole Act, a program very few Americans have heard of, seeks to require federally funded research to create jobs here in America. Despite its good intentions, the program is currently riddled with flaws. Tightening the Bayh-Dole should be a priority for the Biden administration, as it would create jobs in the United States and enjoy strong support among independent and Republican voters.

President BidenJoe Biden Biden: Democrats’ spending plan “bigger deal” than Obamacare’s Biden says open to change, clearing filibuster to advance voting rights Biden: Comment DOJ should sue those that challenge “inappropriate” assignments PLUS has already played a leading role in promoting industrial policy for the future. In July he announcement a series of proposed regulatory changes to the Buy American Act – the most significant changes to the law in over 70 years. The main focus of these changes includes increasing national content thresholds, strengthening national supply chains, and strengthening accountability in the Buy America process. These types of changes have the potential to reach voters. Democrats have struggled to convince.

In order for Biden’s rebuilding program to create a lasting legacy, it must create a powerful and unmissable constituency in every swing state. Nothing would be more powerful than unionized clean energy workers, who can organize to protect their jobs. Made in America policies will also bolster support from Republicans, who are increasingly pro-climate action if they think it can restore American manufacturing and lower electricity bills.

For too long, Democrats have allowed Republicans to pretend they were the party to put “America first.” Instead of using this rhetoric to demonize immigrants and promote isolationism, our research shows that there is a way for Democrats to paint a positive view of “America First” that empowers, strengthens American workers. our manufacturing capacity and fight against climate change.

Sean McElwee is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Data for Progress and Marcela Mulholland is Policy Director of Data for Progress.

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