Years of campaigning led to the largest federal climate investment in U.S. history
In 2020, the Green New Deal movement released a bold vision for transformative renewal on a scale the country had not previously seen. After years of organizing and advocacy, that work helped shape a new benchmark for what federal investment in U.S. communities could look like.
In the midst of the economic, social, and political upheaval triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, movement leaders, organized communities, and elected officials came together to pursue a once-in-a-generation economic recovery package. Advocates argued that such an investment could put millions of people to work in family-sustaining, union jobs across sectors, including clean energy, care work, and manufacturing, while reducing climate pollution and advancing environmental, Indigenous, economic, and racial justice.
It was called the THRIVE Act.
Introduced in 2021, the THRIVE Act outlined a comprehensive framework for economic renewal backed by a broad coalition of movements, including labor, racial justice, climate, and grassroots organizations. The legislation was introduced in Congress by Senators Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley, along with Representatives Debbie Dingell, Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman, Pramila Jayapal, Earl Blumenauer, Ro Khanna, Yvette Clarke, and Nanette Barragán as lead sponsors.
THRIVE Launch In the News:
Rolling Stone: Democrats Are Releasing a Massive Green Jobs and Justice Plan. Here’s What’s In It
The THRIVE Act aims to create 15 million new “family-sustaining” jobs while lifting up communities that have borne the brunt of environmental and racial injustice
Mobilizing grassroots support for THRIVE demands across our Network:
“Recovery Recess” and #TimetoTHRIVE Day of Action
During the congressional Recovery Recess, advocates called for co-sponsorship of the THRIVE Act and a progressive recovery package that centered on climate, care, immigration, democracy, labor rights, and justice.
Over a two-week period, the #TimeToTHRIVE Day of Action engaged tens of thousands of people in more than 250 grassroots actions across at least 41 states, territories, and tribal nations. Members of the Green New Deal Network coordinated direct engagement with over 100 Members of Congress, including town halls with Senator Markey and Representatives Yvette Clarke, Holmes Norton, John Yarmuth, and others. During this period, the Network also elevated the THRIVE framework through 46 billboards nationwide and the release of 19 state-level job creation reports.
National Grassroots Stories Engagement
More than 125 participants shared personal stories explaining why their Members of Congress should support the THRIVE Act, with more than 70 grassroots videos posted online.
Fall 2021: Enter the Build Back Better Act & the Bipartisan Framework
As momentum behind a major public spending package grew, two legislative paths emerged: the Build Back Better Act, proposed at $3.5 trillion, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, which ultimately passed as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act at $1.2 trillion. Together, these proposals marked a pivotal moment in the national debate over the scale and scope of federal investment in climate, care, jobs, and infrastructure.
New York Times: Progressives Flex Muscles on Biden Agenda, Adopting New Tactics
Fall 2022: The rush to #SealtheDeal
After the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law, GNDN mobilized alongside elected leaders and grassroots partners to continue pressing for passage of the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act. In the lead-up to August 2022, thousands of people participated in more than 75 in-person actions across 36 states, calling on Congress to “#SealTheDeal” by advancing legislation to protect investments in climate, care, jobs, and justice alongside the IIJA.
Homestretch Push: Translating Support into Tactical Wins
From September through November, GNDN focused on supporting progressive Members of Congress who publicly committed to a “no climate, no deal” position, while pressuring lawmakers seeking to scale back the recovery package. During this period, the coalition invested $1.5 million across 20 states in a coordinated mix of advertising, canvassing, digital outreach, and in-person actions to shape the final legislative debate.
The coalition also supported state and local efforts that sought to influence key Senate votes, including campaigns targeting Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin. These efforts employed a range of tactics, including grassroots protests, paid media, door-to-door canvassing, and creative digital strategies designed to elevate public support for robust climate, care, and jobs investments.
Advocate: Sen. Kyrsten Sinema Slammed for Betraying Base, Praised by Anti-LGBTQ+
“For her to be the person to stand in the way of [progress]… that is untenable to us.”
Fight for Our Future Turns Out on Earth Day
On Earth Day 2022, the Green New Deal Network joined the Fight for Our Future coalition and allies across nearly 30 states, as well as hundreds of participants in Washington, D.C., to call on President Biden, Congress, and local elected officials to address the climate crisis at scale. The coordinated actions emphasized investments in essential care workers, the creation of union-protected, dignified jobs, and prioritizing resources for communities most impacted by climate and economic injustice. These efforts formed part of the broader push that ultimately helped secure the first major climate investment package in U.S. history.
Coalition members included the Center for Popular Democracy, Future Coalition, Climate Action Campaign, Earth Day Network, Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action, American Federation of Teachers, The Climate Reality Project, Center for American Progress, BlueGreen Alliance, MoveOn, Climate Power, League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, and the Green New Deal Network.
New York Times: Protesters Amass at White House, Demanding Action on Climate
In Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Atlanta, and scores of other cities across the country, demonstrators called on the government to enact bold climate action.
