Former Vice President Al GoreAlbert (Al) Arnold GoreAl Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal Democratic super PAC targets Youngkin over voting rights Biden’s no-drama White House chief MORE reportedly urged President BidenJoe BidenJill Biden, Kate Middleton to meet this week Al Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal White House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain MORE in private to keep climate-focused policies in his expansive infrastructure bill as he struggles to shore up GOP support for the bill.
Sources familiar with the situation told The Washington Post that Gore, an extremely prominent environmentalist, made the call to Biden last month after being encouraged to do so by former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta. During the call, Gore also asked Biden to block the planned Byhalia Pipeline, which transport crude oil through predominantly Black neighborhoods in Memphis and could potentially affect drinking water.
The former vice president also spoke to Biden aide Steve RicchettiSteve RicchettiAl Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal Ricchetti, brother of Biden counselor, lobbied the White House on health care issues in first quarter White House meets little resistance in hiring former lobbyists MORE about climate and infrastructure, the Post reports.
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The private lobbying from Gore comes shortly before Biden is set to discuss measures to combat climate change at the Group of Seven summit in Cornwall, England this week. The G7 leaders are expected to announce new commitments to combating climate change, though Biden will be limited in what he can push for due to ongoing gridlock in D.C.
On Tuesday, Biden ended negotiations with a GOP group led by Sen. Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Wellons Moore CapitoAl Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal White House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain Bipartisan Senate group announces infrastructure deal MORE (R-W.Va.), failing to reach an agreement after weeks of talks. Biden will instead be focusing on discussions between a bipartisan group of moderate senators, including Sens. Kyrsten SinemaKyrsten SinemaAl Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal White House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain Bipartisan bill proposes to add billion in restaurant relief funds MORE (D-Ariz.), Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanAl Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal White House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain Senior Biden cyber nominees sail through Senate hearing MORE (R-Ohio), Bill CassidyBill CassidyAl Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal White House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain Bipartisan Senate group announces infrastructure deal MORE (R-La.) and Joe ManchinJoe ManchinAl Gore lobbied Biden to not scale back climate plans in infrastructure deal White House briefed on bipartisan infrastructure deal but says questions remain Harris to meet with Texas state lawmakers who blocked election reform bill MORE (D-W.Va.)
On Thursday, the bipartisan group announced that they had reached an agreement on an infrastructure deal that invests $1.2 trillion over eight years.
“Our group — comprised of 10 senators, five from each party — has worked in good faith and reached a bipartisan agreement on a realistic, compromise framework to modernize our nation’s infrastructure and energy technologies,” the coalition said in a joint statement. “This investment would be fully paid for and not include tax increases.”