Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) led 81 members of Congress in filing an amicus brief in support of Harris County’s lawsuit against the Trump administration for terminating the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Solar for All program. 

“Solar for All is one of the most important affordable energy programs in our country’s history,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “The Trump administration’s decision to terminate Solar for All was not just reckless — it was unlawful.  Congress established the Solar for All program.  Congress appropriated the funds for it.  No president or political appointee can unilaterally eliminate a program Congress has created.  We created this program to serve every American, in red states and blue states alike.  We wanted to make sure that families from El Paso to Elkhart, Amarillo to Austin, and Houston to Harlingen could all share in the prosperity of America’s energy future.  That is why Harris County is suing — not for politics, but for principle — and why I am glad to join Congressman Cleaver and Senator Whitehouse in this effort to support Harris County. 

“I am grateful to all of my colleagues who joined us, especially our newest, Congressman Christian Menefee, who filed this lawsuit as Harris County Attorney,” concluded Congresswoman Fletcher.

“The Solar For All program was created by Congress, funded by Congress, and signed into law to lower energy costs for working families while accelerating the transition to clean energy,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.  “This administration does not have the authority to unilaterally dismantle a program established by statute.  That’s not how our Constitution works.  This amicus brief defends both the rule of law and the communities – like those across Missouri - that were counting on these investments to reduce utility bills, create jobs, and confront the climate crisis.  I am grateful to Congresswoman Fletcher and Senator Whitehouse for the collaboration on this effort and to all of my colleagues who joined us.”

The Solar for All program is a $7 billion investment to help working families lower their electricity bills, strengthen local economies, and build a more resilient future.  Harris County won one of the program’s largest awards: $250 million to deliver solar and battery storage to more than 28,000 low-income and working-class households throughout the community.  Families were set to save an average of $468 per year in energy costs before the program’s termination. 

In October, Congresswoman Fletcher and Congressman Cleaver led their Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the Trump administration to reinstate the Solar for All program.

74 House Democrats joined Congresswoman Fletcher and Congressman Cleaver in signing the amicus brief.

Senator Whitehouse led this effort in the Senate, where eight Democratic Senators joined the amicus brief.

To read the full text of the amicus brief, click here.