Republicans Try to Buff Up Green Image With Environmental Caucus

Republicans seeking to bolster their green credentials on Wednesday announced the formation of a “Roosevelt Conservation Caucus” that they said would advance ideas for paring ocean pollution, cleaning up abandoned mines and protecting endangered species.

“I’m tired of playing defense on the environment,” said Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina who is spearheading the bicameral effort. “From a Republican point of view I think we need to showcase that we care about conservation, we care about the environment and we have innovative solutions that are not top-down regulatory solutions.”