The Energy 202: No 'unanimity' on Green New Deal, says key House Democrat

A pair of prominent Democrats on Thursday released a sweeping and long-awaited measure outlining what they are calling a "Green New Deal." Invoking President Franklin D. Roosevelt's years-long effort to drag the country out of the Great Depression, they are calling for nothing short of a top-to-bottom renovation of the U.S. economy in order to halt man-made climate change.

Their measure was greeted rapturously by climate activists eager to stop what they see as a looming threat. Immediately, it had the backing of four Democratic senators who have launched bids for the 2020 presidential nomination.

More on the select climate committee: In addition to Sean Casten, the new members will be Democratic Reps. Kathy Castor (Fla.), who will chair the committee, Ben Ray Luján (N.M.), Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.), Julia Brownley (Calif.), Jared Huffman (Calif.), Mike Levin (Calif.), A. Donald McEachin (Va.) and Joe Neguse (Colo.). Republicans have yet to name their members.