On the recordMay 1, 2019
Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, not because we don't want clean water or clean air or deny a world-changing climate. H.R. 9 is a direct attack on this administration for withdrawing from the flawed agreement and is a purely political move by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. The Paris Agreement requires each signatory country to determine, plan, and regularly report on the contributions that it undertakes to mitigate global warming with no regard for American consumers; it places burdensome regulations on American businesses that are already employing environmentally friendly practices; and it places the cost of the Paris Agreement to supplement other nations on the backs of the moms, dads, and citizens of America. In August 2016, President Obama unilaterally accepted the Paris Agreement under the United Nations climate change treaty. Rather than bringing it to this body, where it could be ratified with the advice and consent of the Senate, this was a blatant power grab by the executive branch encumbering America and future generations. I had been opposed to President Obama's decision to circumvent congressional approval of the Paris Agreement from the beginning. It was a clear violation of the Constitution to leave Congress out of the approval process of an agreement that will have far-reaching implications on our economy and our citizens.…





