Political Quotes

“this motion to instruct emphasizes that climate change cannot be used as a basis for the President to declare an emergency or a major disaster or any other means to expand executive powers. In the last 2 weeks, Progressives in Congress have renewed their push for the President to claim powers he doesn't have and make it harder to produce energy domestically and export it abroad. This is bad policy, and it sets a bad precedent to encourage expansive executive authority. Now, of course, I think we should address climate change, but ceding broad authority over to the Executive is not the way to go. I have worked together with my colleagues on numerous pieces of meaningful climate legislation and continue to do so as the ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. When Congress wants to address climate, as we have in the past, it rolls up its sleeves and does so in a thoughtful, bipartisan manner, with clear, detailed direction to the Executive, not by giving the Executive broad authority to do whatever it sees fit. I encourage a positive vote on my motion to instruct. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon.”