A bipartisan resolution was introduced on Monday that would require the Obama administration to submit any agreement reached at the Paris climate summit to the Senate for advice and consent.
“President Obama has shown a total disregard for the limits of his authority and the interests of the American people when it comes to pushing his politically-driven climate agenda,” U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) said. “There is no ‘pen and phone’ clause in the Constitution, but there is an advice and consent provision, and we intend to use it to stop the president from enacting a bad deal that will hurt American workers, families, consumers and communities.”
The legislation, introduced by Blunt and Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), also says that taxpayer money should not be used for a billion dollar fund meant for other countries to deal with climate change without first receiving advice and consent from the Senate.
“The international community needs to be aware that the U.S. Congress and the American people do not support President Obama’s international climate agenda,” Inhofe said. “Expert testimony from the most recent Senate EPW oversight hearing has made it clear that non-binding, political commitments along the lines of what Secretary Kerry recently announced would come from the international climate negotiations, are legally akin to ‘giving a speech, or stating at a news conference, that he will make reductions in emissions.’ Should the negotiations produce a more substantive outcome as European delegates announced, then there is no way around the Senate. I would urge caution in considering any diplomatic promises that may suggest otherwise as the president is once again attempting to make international promises he cannot deliver.”
Manchin added that it is the constitutional role of the Senate to approve any agreement that comes as a part of the Paris climate talks.
“The energy-producing states in our country, especially West Virginia, and American consumers will be significantly affected by any deal made by this president,” Manchin said. “This administration should not be able to unilaterally put American businesses at a disadvantage in the global economy by enacting unattainable and unproven mandates. The Senate must approve those agreements before they are enforced upon our people.”