SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Environmental groups are increasing pressure on members of Congress to support the Green New Deal.
On Friday, about two dozen demonstrators rallied outside Democratic Congressman Scott Peters' office in the UTC area to get him to sign on.
"We're intent on pushing forward with what seems to be the strongest commitment to making important action on climate change by our government," said Karl Aldinger, a Fallbrook resident and member of the a group called Sunrise Movement.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced the deal in February. It lays out a series of goals, including getting the U.S. to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. It also touches on issues surrounding education and wages.
Peters, who represents the 52nd District, is the only San Diego County democrat not to sign onto the deal. He said he prefers a more direct approach through specific actions that can get bipartisan approval. Peters pointed to a series of bills that just passed out of committee.
"We don't want to scare away people from solutions," Peters said. "This is a problem we only have 10 or 12 years to solve. It can't be done just by Democrats, it can't be done just by liberals. It has to be done by everybody."
Political analyst John Dadian says more moederate approaches could play a hand in the 2020 election.
"This dovetails into why we're seeing, in the last 10 years, what's increased every cycle, the rise of the independent, because the independents are saying I don't want to be Republican or Democrat, I don't always agree, I want to make my own decisions," he said.
Dadian said what happens now could very well be remembered in 2020.
So far, Democratic representatives Susan Davis, Juan Vargas and Mike Levin are supporting the deal. Peters and Republican Duncan Hunter are the two San Diego County representatives who have not signed on.
