Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act
Creates a national climate service corps offering paid project work and training, with grants and resources directed toward under-resourced communities.
In the Senate Finance Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 14 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Communities need workers to prepare for climate impacts and build cleaner, more resilient infrastructure. The bill would create a national Civilian Climate Corps and a grant program for partner organizations to carry out climate, conservation, and disaster-response projects. Members would receive pay, benefits, and job training, with resources directed toward under-resourced communities. Other sections address appropriations and the tax treatment of educational awards.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Creates a national climate service corps
The Corporation would run a national service program and a grant program for partners. Corps teams could work on clean energy, conservation, pollution cleanup, disaster preparation and recovery, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Sets pay and member benefits
Members would receive a living allowance of at least the equivalent of $20 per hour, with higher minimums for some construction and service work. Benefits could include health coverage, child care and other support, and up to $25,000 for each completed term toward higher-education expenses or qualified student-loan repayment.
- Directs resources to underserved communities
At least 50 percent of participants in the national program would come from under-resourced communities. At least 50 percent of labor and investment in the national program, and of grant-program funds, would support projects in those communities; a portion of that support is reserved for projects in Indian country.
- Provides job and career training
Members would receive general and project-specific training, as well as career and technical education intended to improve their prospects in clean-economy jobs. The program would also provide career follow-up services to some members after their service.
- Sets workplace and labor rules
The Corps and participating entities would have to follow labor-organizing and bargaining requirements; Corps members would have a right to strike. Contractors on national-program projects would have to pay prevailing wages and benefits or rates in a collective bargaining agreement.
- Addresses funding and education-award taxes
Other sections address climate-response priorities, supplemental appropriations, and the tax treatment of national-service educational awards.
The bill cites extreme weather and other climate impacts, and says low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately exposed and vulnerable. It also cites 23 major disasters in 2025 that each cost over $1 billion, totaling at least $115 billion.
The bill aims to connect climate and disaster-related work with paid service and job training. It would also direct a substantial share of program resources to communities it defines as under-resourced.
Written from an excerpt of the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026SENATESEP 24, 2026By Sen. Markey with 5 original cosponsorsReferred to Finance
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 24, 2026FINANCE NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 14 daysNo hearing yet
- 14 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 14, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 5 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Markey’s record: sponsored 164 bills this Congress. 7 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Richard BlumenthalD-CTORIGINAL
- Kirsten E. GillibrandD-NYORIGINAL
- Bernie SandersI-VTORIGINAL
- Chris Van HollenD-MDORIGINAL
- Elizabeth WarrenD-MAORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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