As a Main Street Entrepreneur and conservationist, Senator Braun knows firsthand that if we want to address our changing climate, we need to facilitate real solutions that our farmers, environmentalists and industry can collectively support. That is why Senator Braun drafted the Growing Climate Solutions Act (S. 1251) with Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, legislation designed to break down barriers for farmers and foresters interested in voluntarily participating in carbon markets so they can be rewarded for climate-smart practices. The bill had widespread support, including from the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, Environmental Defense Fund, McDonald’s, Microsoft, over 40 farm groups, environmental organizations, and numerous Fortune 500 companies. The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing on this bill on June 24, 2020 during the 116th Congress. The bill was reintroduced with improvements in the 117th Congress, wherein the Senate Agriculture formally marked up the bill on April 22, 2021. The U.S. Senate then brought Senator Braun’s bill to the floor, where it was robustly considered and approved by a 92-8 margin on June 24, 2021. The U.S. House of Representatives later approved the legislation, enabling President Biden to enact its provisions on December 29, 2022.