The Socialist Democrat along with Biden want 1.5 million people employed by the federal government to work on “carbon reducing” initiatives as part of the “Green New Deal”.
Members of the “Civilian Climate Corps” would receive on-the-job training and work with community groups on initiatives all on taxpayers dime.
The proposal says the corps would work to "reduce carbon emissions, enable a transition to renewable energy, build healthier and more resilient communities, implement conservation projects with proven climate benefits, and help communities recover from climate disasters."
Biden included the corps in his $2 trillion American Jobs Plan.
Massachusetts Democrat Senator Ed Markey says the corps will perform “work that rebuilds the economy and saves the planet all at the same time.”
AOC wants the program race based with at least 50% of the money going to minority communities.
Markey says “this is our moment.We have to have this new army of young Black, Latino, Asian, minority workers in this fight, to ensure that we save our planet. We can save all of creation by investing in massive job creation.”
The corps program would also provide financial grants of up to $25,000 for a year of service and up to $50,000 to help pay down student loan debt or “invest” in further education.
“If approved by Congress — a tall order with an evenly-split Senate — the Civilian Climate Corps will be administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service within AmeriCorps, according to Markey’s office.
Normally, a package like the American Jobs Plan would require support from two-thirds of the U.S. Senate; at least 10 Republicans would have to get on board to get the package to Biden’s desk.
But in March, Biden signed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan after Democrats sidestepped Senate rules by linking the package to Congress’s annual budget reconciliation bill, which only requires a simple majority to pass. Polling showed broad support among the American public, but no Republicans voted for the bill. Republicans have argued that Biden’s spending far too much — he also recently announced a nearly $2 trillion education and families aid bill — and Americans are less enthusiastic about the president’s expansive $2 trillion jobs plan.”