(Seattle, WA) — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray joined Governor Jay Inslee for a Climate Action Town Hall at the REI Seattle Flagship Store to discuss Senator Murray’s recent work to combat the climate crisis and build a stronger clean energy economy, and the stakes of Patty’s race for climate voters. The event was part of Senator Murray’s Patty for WA Campaign Tour of town halls and Get Out The Vote events to discuss key issues at stake in the November general election — more on Senator Murray’s recent Patty for WA events is here and here.

“This summer, I helped deliver the biggest climate action in U.S. history,” said Senator Murray. “This is not only about recognizing the severity of the climate crisis, it’s also about understanding the opportunities we have — in the race to build a clean energy economy — to create good paying jobs here in Washington state, lower energy costs, and establish real American energy independence. I’m running against an extreme Republican climate denier who wants to put Mitch McConnell in control of the Senate to roll back our progress.”

“Tiffany Smiley is the worst possible candidate at the most important time of the most beautiful state in American history,” said Washington state Governor Jay Inslee. “We are the Evergreen state. Today, we are the most committed state to giving our children a future and defeating climate change. For the State of Washington to send her as a senator would be sort of like us all deciding to root for the Houston Astros. That is not what we are about in the State of Washington and we cannot send her to the Senate.”

At the event, Murray spoke with voters and supporters about how she is fighting to combat climate change and build a clean energy economy, which will create good-paying jobs in Washington state, lower energy costs and promote real American energy independence. Patty has been a longtime champion for climate action and knows that preserving our planet and environment for future generations goes hand in hand with building a stronger, clean energy economy. Most recently, she helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act — the most significant legislation in U.S. history to tackle the climate crisis and strengthen American energy security. Patty’s bill will lower energy costs for Washington state households and businesses, promote real and long-term energy independence, create good-paying manufacturing jobs, and help drastically cut carbon emissions.

Through rebates and tax credits, the Inflation Reduction Act will make it more affordable for Washington families to purchase energy efficient appliances when they need to, make repairs around their homes, and save money on their utility bills each month. One analysis found that Patty’s climate bill would help save the average household $1,800 per year on energy bills.

Senator Murray’s opponent Tiffany Smiley has refused to admit humans contribute to climate change, even after she was asked about it twice at the U.S. Senate debate in Spokane this past Sunday. She has also stated that climate change — a global crisis — is “best solved at the local level,” a position that is not backed by any credible science. Smiley has also come out strongly opposed to the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act, saying it was said it was “not something to be celebrated.” The League of Conservation lists Smiley on its 2022 House and Senate Dirty Dozen list of the worst anti-environmental and anti-democracy candidates.