Andy Barr: “This is the final amendment to the bill. It would not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill…”

“This is the final amendment to the bill. It would not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill would immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. This motion makes a small but important change to the bill, a change that is necessary to preserve the economic strength of the United States. The amendment simply states that the act shall not take effect until the President certifies that the United States will not, on net, lose jobs to China as a result of meeting the emissions commitments required under the Paris Agreement. If, as the majority believes, the Paris Agreement will improve America's economic and technological competitiveness, this should not be a problem. Madam Speaker, I do not disagree with my colleagues that climate change is a problem that this Nation and other nations need to address. In fact, I believe it is important that we continue to have discussions about serious solutions on how to mitigate these risks through American innovation, conservation, adaptation, and preparation. But, Madam Speaker, H.R. 9 is not a serious solution to these problems. The truth of the matter is the Paris Agreement would hurt our economy, cost millions of American jobs, weaken our sovereignty, and put us at a disadvantage among international competitors, especially China. My home State of Kentucky relies heavily on fossil fuels, and the coal industry provides our State with thousands of jobs and delivers over 83 percent of our power.…”