Joseph Knollenberg: “the Kyoto treaty on climate change would have a crippling effect on the American economy. This fatally flawed agreement…”

“the Kyoto treaty on climate change would have a crippling effect on the American economy. This fatally flawed agreement would kill millions of American jobs and diminish the standard of living in this country. Confronted by strong bipartisan opposition in both the House and the Senate, the Clinton administration has repeatedly assured Congress that it would not attempt to implement the Kyoto treaty until it has been ratified by the Senate. Now, despite this promise, there is strong evidence that the EPA has initiated and taken regulatory and other actions that are inconsistent with the administration assurances. This week, when the House considers the fiscal year 1999 VA-HUD bill, we will have the opportunity to ensure that the President keeps his word. This bill prohibits the EPA from using taxpayer dollars to issue rules or regulations to implement the Kyoto treaty until it has been ratified by the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to protect our economic interests by supporting the effort to stop the EPA from ramming the Kyoto treaty through the back door.”