Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement ahead of President Biden's participation in the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26): 
 
“Like the other United Nations Climate Conferences before it, the upcoming Conference of the Parties – COP 26 – will likely serve as little more than an opportunity for the nations of the world to gather and browbeat the United States. President Biden’s continued self-flagellation on the global stage, his refusal to defend and promote America’s climate track record, and his insistence on apologizing for our history of supplying the world with clean, affordable, and reliable energy demonstrates his failed leadership.
 
The United States is the true champion of emissions reduction and environmental stewardship, and we should be proud to share that message on the world stage. But President Biden’s participation in COP 26 is likely to be nothing more than an exercise in futility.

Republicans and communities in rural America aren’t given the credit we deserve when it comes to the conservation of our lands, waters, and environment. While socialist agendas like the Green New Deal make headlines and offer false promises that simply cannot be fulfilled, we know what it means to lead with our actions – not empty platitudes. The United States has paved the way with our world-class research, development, and deployment of clean energy technologies and will continue to build upon the fact that we have reduced our emissions more than the next 12 countries combined.

We cannot afford to push flawed policies that result in higher global emissions, kill American jobs, and fail to hold other countries accountable. China’s annual emissions, for example, are greater than all developed nations combined. Yet, we provide legitimacy for their hollow pledges and unethical labor practices by allowing them to participate alongside the United States at conferences like COP 26. By rejoining the Paris Agreement and accepting the premise of the United Nations’ misguided climate agenda, President Biden continues to punish and impose retaliatory policies on the American businesses and economic sectors that are driving innovation around the world.
 
Our communities depend on a safe and reliable supply of energy to keep the lights on. We must remain committed to promoting an all-of-the above energy strategy with commonsense policies that empower the United States to continue serving as a global leader.”