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171 House Democrats Want Congress To Condemn Trump's Paris Withdrawal

This article is more than 6 years old.

On Friday, 171 House Democrats supported a resolution that would formally condemn President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. Two weeks earlier, the president announced he would be withdrawing the country from the accord.

The resolution proposes that Congress express disapproval for President Trump's withdrawal, commend governments, institutions and individuals who have publicly supported the Paris Agreement, and urge the President to reverse his decision. The resolution was introduced by Representative Brad Schneider of Illinois.

"Today’s Resolution sends a strong message that House Democrats stand united in support of the Paris Agreement, and in solidarity with the cities and States across the country that have demonstrated leadership by committing to continue honoring the goals of the agreement," Schneider said. The resolution is also supported by the House Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition and the Democratic Environmental Message Team. 

The resolution cited Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who wrote to the Senate Armed Services Committee in March 2017 that "climate change can be a driver of instability and the Department of Defense must pay attention to potential adverse impacts generated by this phenomenon." The resolution also quoted the 2014 National Climate Assessment, which discussed the various impacts climate change could have on Americans' physical and mental health.

"[M]illions of Americans have made their voices heard in support of the Paris Agreement, and the United States upholding its commitments to the international community to reduce carbon pollution for the benefit of good-paying jobs, families, and the environment now and in future generations," the resolution said.

Withdrawing from the agreement is a four-year process that will ultimately leave the Unites States, along with Syria and Nicaragua, as the only countries to reject the agreement. According to the Paris agreement, the United States must wait three years before it can begin the withdrawal process. President Trump must also provide the international community at least a year's notice of the country's plan to leave the agreement.

Several states, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the territory of Puerto Rico have all joined the United States Climate Alliance, which commits states to upholding the Paris Agreement despite the United States' official withdrawal.  The Alliance was announced by governors Jay Inslee of Washington, Andrew Cuomo of New York and Jerry Brown of California on June 1. 

“New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Accord regardless of Washington’s irresponsible actions. We will not ignore the science and reality of climate change which is why I am also signing an Executive Order confirming New York’s leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet," said Cuomo of joining the Alliance.