Political Quotes

“I find this whole conversation somewhat surreal because, in my community in Portland, Oregon, the city is unveiling a new climate action plan to reduce local carbon emissions even more. We are already below 1999 levels on a per capita basis, but our community has committed, in going forward, to a clean energy future in order to do our part. It is jarring that, at the same time, we would consider on the floor of the House rolling back the modest, balanced approach that the administration has undertaken with the carbon rule--a carbon rule that is not yet finalized, a carbon rule that is dedicated to working with local States to try and fine-tune it to make sure that it works right and with more public input. Nonetheless, even though it is a little late in coming, the United States must step up. We have a major responsibility as we are the largest contributor to carbon pollution in the world. We are number two now behind China. We have a responsibility to do our part, but we have a responsibility to do our part not just in terms of global leadership and in trying to change this tremendously destructive trajectory we are on with carbon pollution--as we will, no doubt, hear from the Pope in 3 months in this Chamber--but it is part of what is going to happen with other countries in the world. If the richest, most powerful nation in the world can't step up to do its part, how can we expect to exert global leadership and prevent catastrophic events elsewhere?…”