Rep. Gary Palmer Proposes Using Green New Deal Funds for Foreign Aid Package

Rep. Gary Palmer, a Republican congressman from Alabama, has proposed a bill to allocate already appropriated funds for foreign aid instead of coming up with new funds. The bill aims to use the $27 billion allocated for the Green New Deal slush fund, a program praised by progressives, to offset funding for Israel aid.

The Inflation Reduction Act 2022, also known as the Income Reduction Act by critics, funneled tens of billions of dollars to green energy programs, including the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The fund was granted $27 billion “to address the climate crisis” and for “environmental justice.”

Palmer expressed his concern over the funding of the foreign aid package, stating, “I don’t know how they’re going to pay for it. I really don’t know the details of it, I’ve just heard the number. One of the things I’ve suggested to pay for it is in the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, which I call the Income Reduction Act, which included $27 billion for a Green New Deal slush fund to be administered by the EPA.”

The Green New Deal, a progressive initiative, has been a contentious topic among Republicans and Democrats alike. Critics argue that the program lacks accountability and transparency, as there is no clear plan on how the funds will be spent or who will oversee the implementation of the projects.

Palmer’s proposed legislation, which aims to rescind the funds from the Green New Deal, has gained support from some Republicans who believe that the funds should be used for more pressing issues, such as foreign aid and border security.

However, the legislation faces challenges, as it must identify the source of the funds to be canceled and provide enough information so that an amount can be determined. The Senate passed a controversial $95 billion national security supplemental package that included $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, $9 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, and nearly $5 billion for the Indo-Pacific, but no funds for border security.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated that the House would not pass the Senate’s foreign aid package and would draft their own bill that would include border security provisions. The EPA, which administers the Green New Deal funds, has yet to comment on Palmer’s proposed legislation.

The Green New Deal has been a topic of debate among politicians and the public, with some arguing that the funds should be used for green energy initiatives and others believing that the funds should be rescinded and used for more pressing issues. The debate continues as the government faces mounting debt and the need for fiscal responsibility.

In conclusion, Rep. Gary Palmer’s proposed legislation to use the $27 billion allocated for the Green New Deal slush fund for foreign aid is a contentious issue that raises questions about fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency. The legislation faces challenges, but it highlights the need for a clear plan on how funds are spent and who oversees their implementation. The debate on the Green New Deal and its funding continues as the government faces mounting debt and the need for fiscal responsibility.