Nita Lowey: “And I claim time in opposition. There are many things in this en bloc that I oppose, and I could speak to each issue…”

“And I claim time in opposition. There are many things in this en bloc that I oppose, and I could speak to each issue, but I want to reserve my comments for the attack on climate change. Most of us, even my friends across the aisle, agree that climate change is a real global threat. Our military also believes this. I cannot emphasize enough that climate change is exacerbating the root causes of conflict. We will see an increasing demand on our humanitarian aid and other resources if we do not address it now. Prohibiting U.S. contributions to the multilaterals that combat climate change is a shortsighted, harmful policy that does not prepare our country to face this threat. We cannot afford to stand idly by while others address climate change. We already feel its effects. We should not be alienating multilateral partners. We need to join the fight. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”