First on CNN: Advocacy groups ramp up pressure on lawmakers to take action on climate change

Climate change groups are ratcheting up the pressure on Congress during its August recess.

Progressive groups including the Sunrise Movement, Justice Democrats and People's Action are targeting lawmakers including Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, and House Committee Chairs Bobby Scott, Frank Pallone, and Richard Neal, with a phone-banking blitz over recess, according to exclusive details shared with CNN. "The challenge we face right now is lack of political will because the GOP and oil and gas executives are frankly holding climate action hostage," Sunrise executive director Varshini Prakash told CNN. "We're calling our Representatives and Senators because they should be listening to us, not Exxon."