Rep. Sean Casten references Fergie song to bring attention to climate change legislation

How do you bring attention on the House floor to legislation regarding the climate crisis?

Reference Fergie’s hit song “Fergalicious,” of course.

That’s the approach U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove, took on the House floor Wednesday, drawing national attention as several Twitter users put the speech to music.

“As climate activist Fergie would certainly say, the FERCalicious definition is to make our planet cooler,” he said in beat.

“So listen up ya’ll, cause this is it,” he said on the House floor. “The Federal Regulatory Energy Commission, better known as the F, to the E, to the R, to the C, is one of the most important federal agencies to fight climate change, and if I’m doing this right, one that a few more of you are now keeping track of.”

Casten continued his reference to the singer, who first hit it big with the Black Eyed Peas, speaking in front of a display that read “Hot Ferc Summer Fercalicious.”

“With record setting heat waves causing deadly droughts, wildfires, and overwhelmed power grids, we’ve run out the clock and must transition to a clean energy economy,” Casten said. “And we need FERC’s help.”

The congressman has called FERC “the most important agency in terms of dealing with climate.” It regulates the transmission and sale of electricity in interstate commerce and regulates the transportation of oil by pipeline, among other infrastructure items.

He introduced the Right to Timely Rehearings at FERC Act, a bill to ensure everyone has access to fair and timely hearings at the commission. He called for the agency to be fully staffed, noting it is critical to the success of the nation’s effort to combat climate change.

Casten gave another playful speech July 20 about Megan Thee Stallion, referencing “Hot Girl Summer.”

The representative invited his Twitter followers to give him suggestions for his next speech.