Candidates on climate change

WASHINGTON — Climate change is fast turning into a top-line issue for Democratic presidential hopefuls as former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke became the latest to weigh in Monday with a sweeping proposal to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

With front-runners Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., pledging support for the Green New Deal to fight climate change — and the massive government spending it would require — pressure is building on candidates to come out firmly on the issue ahead of next year’s Democratic primary.