Washington – U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) led 65 members of Congress in sending a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, warning against the anti-ESG riders planted across FY 2024 appropriations bills. The letter is a sign to self-interested billionaires and their special interest groups that lawmakers will fight back to protect the economy and environment.
“These appropriations riders follow a dangerous trend of political interference with investing choices at the state level that are antithetical to the free-market system that has made US markets the envy of the world,” the 54 Representatives and 11 Senators wrote. “To protect the annual appropriations process from extremist culture wars that cost our constituents their hard-earned savings and safeguard our free markets, we urge you to finalize FY 2024 appropriations bills without these dangerous political riders.”
The letter identifies specific anti-ESG riders included in bills for: Labor, Health and Human Services and Education; Financial Services and General Government; Defense; and Commerce, Justice, and Science. The policymakers note that these “actions, fueled by groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), are costing those states’ residents billions of dollars.”
“Unlocking America’s Future applauds the 65 members of Congress who are taking action to fight back against the special interest groups and corporate polluters behind these anti-ESG riders,” said Kyle Herrig, spokesperson for Unlocking America’s Future. “Poll after poll shows that Americans do not want anti-ESG policies, and across party lines the public overwhelmingly supports responsible investing. It is good for the economy, the environment, and America’s presence on the global stage.”
A copy of the letter can be found here.
