- The Washington Times - Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Sen. Mike Lee presented a picture of former President Ronald Reagan riding a velociraptor Tuesday during a procedural vote for the Green New Deal, the Democrats’ proposal for social and environmental legislation, to treat it with the “seriousness it deserves.”

“I rise today to consider the Green New Deal with the seriousness it deserves. … This, of course, is a picture of former President Ronald Reagan, firing a machine gun while riding on the back of a dinosaur,” the Utah Republican said on the floor of the Senate.

“There was no battle with, or without, velociraptors. The Cold War was won without firing a shot,” Mr. Lee said, adding that the image was a visual of “overcoming communism in the 20th century as the Green New Deal has to do with overcoming climate change in the 21st.”

In his speech, he also showed images from the movies “Aquaman” and “Star Wars.”

One of the Green New Deal’s main advocates, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, commented on Mr. Lee’s demonstration, saying the senator is arguing that “saving our nation from climate change is a ’waste of money.’ “

The Green New Deal is a seen as one of the most radical legislative proposals of addressing climate change, presenting a plan to transfer the country to 100 percent renewable energy, along with stimulating the economy and creating jobs.

A vote is expected on supporting the legislation Tuesday evening.

• Bailey Vogt can be reached at bvogt@washingtontimes.com.

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Click to Read More and View Comments

Click to Hide