06.01.17

McConnell Statement on President’s Decision to Withdraw From the Unattainable Mandates of the Paris Climate Deal

‘I applaud President Trump and his administration for dealing yet another significant blow to the Obama Administration’s assault on domestic energy production and jobs.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement regarding President Trump’s decision today to withdraw from the Paris climate deal:  

“I applaud President Trump and his administration for dealing yet another significant blow to the Obama Administration’s assault on domestic energy production and jobs. President Obama made commitments in this deal based off a costly power plan that we knew at the time was on shaky legal ground. By withdrawing from this unattainable mandate, President Trump has reiterated his commitment to protecting middle class families across the country and workers throughout coal country from higher energy prices and potential job loss.  

“Today’s move builds on action Congress took to rebuff then-President Obama’s regulatory rampage, which put American jobs at risk. When the previous administration signed America up for this unattainable mandate, we made it clear we would fight this unilateral action any way we could, and this day could not have happened soon enough. President Trump has once again put families and jobs ahead of left-wing ideology and should be commended for his action.” 

Background: Since 2015, Leader McConnell has led multiple efforts to oppose the Obama Administration’s clean power rule. Specifically, he encouraged states to not immediately comply with the costly regulation and wait for additional legal and congressional action to take place. He also penned two letters (here and here) to all 50 governors. McConnell also joined a letter led by Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) that asked the Trump Administration to withdraw from the Paris Climate agreement. 

Related Issues: Energy