HEAT Members Blast Biden for Moving Ahead with Job-Killing Climate Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and over 25 members of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT) slammed President Biden for pledging to shackle the United States to a new sweeping and unattainable Paris Agreement commitment that will destroy thousands of energy jobs and devastate American workers.

Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.): "President Biden already vowed to reverse American energy dominance by rejoining the Paris Agreement on Day One of his Administration. Today's announcement shows how this unrealistic promise will only crush American families and workers and increase global emissions by shipping energy production and manufacturing to countries like China and India. President Biden's heavy-handed, government mandate-filled climate agenda would eliminate millions of American jobs, including many of the energy jobs that fuel Louisiana's economy. Tying America's hands to a larger and equally flawed Paris Agreement guarantees that the world will get its energy from countries like China, Russia, and Iran, which will increase carbon emissions while destroying the American economy. Meanwhile, China gets a free pass under Paris, and many countries, including even France, have fallen short of the promises they've made. I urge President Biden to return to an America First energy strategy that focuses on an all-of-the-above energy approach that will create American jobs and lower household energy costs for American families."

HEAT Co-Chair, Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.):"The Biden Administration's announcement of the new, overly aggressive Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) represents a continuation of Biden's America last agenda. The United States has reduced emissions more than any other country in the Paris Agreement. We should be proud of this accomplishment and continue to pursue policies to support innovation and American energy production. Implementing burdensome regulatory policies to meet the new Paris commitments will hurt consumers, impede on our security, and increase global emissions. These new commitments signal to the Chinese, they can continue to get away as the world's leading polluter as we undercut our own environmental progress and economy. Let's continue our leadership in energy production and environmental stewardship. Instead of pursuing America last energy policy, let's put American industries first and buy American energy."

Heat Co-Chair, Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.):"Rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement on day one of his presidency was bad enough, but now President Biden is upping the ante by drastically expanding our national commitment. This will only kill more good-paying, American jobs at a time when we need to focus on getting Americans back to work. The United States is already leading the world in reducing CO2 emissions and the Agreement does nothing to hold China and Russia, who are already some of the world's largest polluters, accountable. We cannot have an effective climate policy that puts the United States at a disadvantage with our economic competitors."

House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-Okla.):"As a farmer, I've seen first-hand the effects of climate change- across the nation we've seen stronger, more powerful hurricanes; an increase in wildfires and flooding; and deeper freezes. There's no question about it, we must address the rise in global greenhouse gas emissions and support America's clean energy future. But the Paris Agreement is not the way to do that. It commits the U.S. to a tremendous financial burden while doing nothing to enforce greenhouse gas reductions by other participants. Worse, it does nothing to actually incentivize the development of the new technologies we need to reduce emissions, like advanced nuclear energy, carbon capture, and greater energy storage capacity. Investing in basic research has proven to reduce emissions, lower energy costs, and produce exportable technologies that other countries can use to meet these same objectives. That's why I've introduced the Securing American Leadership in Science and Technology Act, which will double investment in federal R&D and prioritize the development of breakthrough clean energy technologies. While the Biden Administration is using the stick approach to aggressively push a Green New Deal climate agenda, I hope my colleagues in Congress join me in using the carrot approach to invest in an innovative all-of-the-above energy solution while ensuring consumers have access to cleaner, more affordable, and more accessible energy."

House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Republican Leader Garret Graves (R-La.):"President Biden needs to be fully transparent with the American people. Under Biden's Paris pledge, Americans will pay more to fuel their cars, heat and cool their homes, and for every other good and service that requires energy. What we do know is that as far as global emissions are concerned, unless China stops its uninhibited growth of emissions, anything we do will be off-set fourfold by the Chinese. It continues to perplex me seeing all the celebration over the Paris Climate Accords when the agreement actually results in a net increase in global emissions and will cause Americans to lose their jobs. We need to be smart and make sure we're pursuing policies that lower global emissions through American innovation, domestic resources, and the free market — the same approach that has made the U.S. the global leader in emission reduction."

Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas):"President Obama first unilaterally entered the U.S. into the Paris Agreement without seeking ratification from the Senate or even conducting an analysis on how much the U.S.'s contribution would cost American taxpayers. Now, Biden is following Obama's footsteps but going further to expand our carbon emissions reduction commitment. This is not only unnecessary but harmful – the impacts of this expanded commitment will hurt American jobs and reverse U.S. energy independence. The U.S. shouldn't be bound to a costly agreement that other countries, like China, are failing to adhere to."

Rep. Carol Miller (R-W. Va.):"On top of being a net energy exporter, America is leading the world in carbon emission reduction. Over the past decade, we set a record for emissions reduction while still relying on key baseload energy resources. These unprecedented milestones are due to advancements in innovative technologies like carbon capture, which are what we should continue to invest in to maintain and build on the unprecedented success we've already had in carbon emissions reduction. President Biden needs to stop moving the goal posts in a game America is already winning."

Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio):"President Biden's announcement moves the goal posts on environmental mandates and continues his Administration's efforts to threaten American jobs, stifle innovation, and undermine energy affordability and reliability. Since 2005, the United States has reduced its emissions by over 20%, which is the largest decrease in the world, proving that we can grow our economy and protect the environment at the same time. President Biden should be holding the world's worst polluters accountable, like China and Russia, instead of handicapping our economy and hurting American workers."

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.):"This excessive commitment is going to be disastrous for our economy and gives foreign nations more influence over our energy policies. Our focus needs to be on improving our domestic energy policies and pursuing solutions that preserve our environment without taking a toll on the American people."

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.):"Joe Biden must still be in his natural gas heated basement if he hasn't realized how quickly his climate policies have already eroded jobs and economic stability across the country. Nearly doubling the United States' carbon emissions reduction goal under an illegitimate treaty is asinine. If the Biden administration is okay with setting goals that will destroy our country, what's stopping them from making a goal of increasing gas prices to $4? Oh wait, we're already there."

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.):"Since his first day in office, President Biden has prioritized appeasing woke leftists instead of supporting American workers and families. The Biden Administration's Paris Agreement emission targets will kill family-sustaining jobs and increase energy prices for hardworking Americans. The United States is a world leader in reducing carbon emissions through innovation, competition, and ingenuity, and we will continue to do so without heavy-handed government mandates. President Biden's decision to jam through radical environmental policies further demonstrates how out of touch he is with blue-collar workers and families in Pennsylvania and throughout the country."

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas):"President Trump refused to allow Americans to be taken advantage of, and our energy sector to be undermined, by the overburdensome and onerous Paris Climate Agreement. In his effort to undermine everything that President Trump accomplished, President Biden decided to re-enter this agreement, prioritizing his extremist environmental base and the Chinese Communist Party over hard-working Americans and American energy jobs. Today's announcement and decision to impose radical emissions mandates on our energy sector is just another step in this process and another step in the implementation of President Biden's America Last agenda. While these haphazard policies may be good for his liberal politics, they will greatly hurt the American people."

Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas):"President Biden's push to recommit the United States to the disastrous Paris Agreement puts every American family on the hook for higher energy costs, fewer jobs and less independence from foreign countries – all while doing little to actually protect the environment. These unrealistic standards are even more drastic than his predecessors, highlighting President Biden's desire to only cater to the far left of his party. Instead, we should look to the innovation and common sense of Kansas farmers and ranchers who have successfully managed our natural resources for the sake of the land they live on, not government overreach."

Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.):"President Biden's emission targets jeopardize millions of Americans' livelihoods, while empowering China to expand their built-in global advantage. We should focus on plans that reduce global emissions and grow our economy through technology and innovation, not plans that benefit our global adversaries."

Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.):"President Biden's reentry into the Paris Climate Agreement and his announced Nationally Determined Contribution to reduce emissions will create an energy disaster. President Biden has committed our nation to an energy approach that is unreliable, unsustainable, and will destroy good-paying energy jobs, all while driving up energy costs."

Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.):"The Paris Agreement is deeply flawed, injuring America's economic competitiveness while giving polluters like China, India, and Russia a free pass. We are already the global leader in emissions reduction. That's happening through private industry innovation, not restrictive government mandates."

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.):"Today President Biden has made yet another unilateral decision in reducing the United States' carbon emissions by drastic numbers by the year 2030. Not only did President Biden have the opportunity to ask for and receive input from Congress before reentering the Paris Climate Agreement to ensure this agreement results in internationally equitable terms, but he is now doubling President Obama's previous commitments. While I believe climate change needs to be addressed, there are bipartisan and commonsense solutions that are realistic."

Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.):"President Biden's reupping of the Paris Climate Agreement alongside his two-day climate summit -- aka photo op -- belies his commitment to rhetoric over action. For a dose of reality and true problem-solving, President Biden should look to the realistic proposals outlined by Republicans this week such as the Trillion Trees Project and a recommitment to the cleanest of all energy: nuclear. The United States continues to lead the world in reducing our carbon emissions, however, President Biden's unrealistic and unattainable goals only hurt America's economic competitiveness because the Paris Agreement is a surefire way to let the world's biggest polluters China and India off the hook. Republicans are focused on long-term, sustainable climate initiatives that are attainable and that hold all nations accountable, and I will continue to work with my Republican colleagues to support realistic policies that enhance American energy independence and competitiveness while spurring technological innovation, and building a cleaner, less carbon-dependent future."

Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas):"Once again, we see President Biden placating the climate zealots on the far left by sacrificing our energy independence and economic success on the altar of the Paris Climate Accord. Despite the United States being the world-leader in reducing carbon emissions, Biden wants to heap even greater burden on job creators and families as we recover from Covid while giving the rest of the world, including China, a free pass."

Rep. Greg Pence (R-Ind.):"From the start of his presidency, Joe Biden's climate plan has been more about appeasing the progressive, liberal wing of his party than it has been about creating a better environment for future generations. Our modern approach to energy should be ‘all of the above' not an ‘everything but' solution. A plan as extreme as the Biden Administration's would unnecessarily wipe out hundreds of thousands of jobs and destroy our economy. There is a better way to do this, and I know Republicans will continue to lead the way on supporting innovation on energy of the future."

Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio):"By rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and setting extreme carbon emissions goals for the U.S., the Biden Administration is sending a message to the world that America is willing to retreat from global energy dominance and bow to the demands of the radical global environmental movement…all to the delight of Vladimir Putin in Russia and Xi Jinping in China. In an effort to appease the far left, these policies will only further damage an American economy already struggling to recover from COVID shutdowns. We need a President that will listen to the American people and the science, instead of caving into the liberal dogma."

Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.):"President Biden has unilaterally committed the United States to a goal that likely won't be reached but will certainly cause harm to American workers and businesses. Achieving the reductions President Biden calls for would require far more renewable energy capacity than we can expect to see over the next decade and the construction of high-voltage power lines to carry that capacity, a project even advocates admit would take more than 20 to 30 years. Unrealistic ideological goals won't solve our climate challenges. American ingenuity and an all of the above energy policy will."

Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio):"President Biden's announcement regarding the United States' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is a broadside attack on American innovation, emissions reductions, and hometown economies across the country. As a nation, we've led the world in reducing our carbon emissions due in large part to a diverse, adaptable energy economy over the past decades. The impact of new and emerging technologies, such as horizontal drilling, as well as the expansion of American natural gas cannot be understated in their impact to these achievements. It is vital that the progress we've witnessed not be stifled, but rather expanded in a sensible, consumer-driven manner. Our energy security must not be sacrificed to appease foreign actors – many of whom actively seek to undermine the United States."

Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.):"President Biden has proven himself to be more radical than even former President Obama. As we recover from the mandated lockdowns of the coronavirus pandemic, we should not hamper American job growth with new regulations while allowing countries such as China and India to increase their emissions every day. This job killing agreement threatens America's energy independence and would be detrimental to Colorado. The United States has proven that we can reduce emissions without being bound to an international agreement."

Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-Kansas):"We cannot relaunch the war on America's energy sector. This short-sighted decision will destroy thousands of jobs, hike energy costs, and undermine American national security interests."

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.):"America is leading the world in reducing emissions through the power of innovation, and we can continue to build on these technological advancements without stifling our economy with more bureaucratic red tape. The Paris Agreement will only impose additional costly mandates that will jeopardize good-paying jobs and increase energy prices for hard-working Americans, while giving countries like China and Russia a free pass to continue business as usual."

Rep. Jim Hagedorn (R-Minn.):"During the Trump administration, we achieved U.S. energy independence and dynamic economic growth. The cornerstone of the Paris Accord is the nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which have proven to be ineffective. Earlier this year, France announced that it had failed to meet its own NDC, and China and India – the globe's biggest polluters – are excluded from adhering to these contributions. The Paris Accord needlessly punishes the American people, while not solving anything. President Biden's decision to rejoin this costly and ineffective agreement is disastrous. It will cost the U.S. trillions of dollars, along with millions of jobs, and make us ever more dependent on places like China for energy."

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.):"While President Biden, Democrats, and the media want you to believe the Paris Agreement protects the environment, it's actually innovative technologies from the private sector that has allowed the U.S. to lead the world in reducing its emissions. It seems like the President and Congressional Democrats are attempting to suppress America's economic recovery by imposing their left-wing agenda, which is bad for business. One big flaw in this agreement is that it is toothless, meaning there are no penalties for countries that lie about their emission levels, or penalties for countries that simply miss their target. The Paris Agreement is a bad deal, and President Trump was right when he pulled the U.S. out, because all this agreement does is place burdensome regulations on businesses; reduces competition, production, and innovation; and does little to protect the environment."