Expresses the House of Representatives' disapproval of the President's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, urging the President to reverse his decision and Congress to prioritize climate change leadership.
Bradley "Brad" Schneider
Representative
IL-10
This bill expresses the House of Representatives' disapproval of the President's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, recognizing climate change as a threat and highlighting the increasing costs of extreme weather events. It commends entities supporting the Agreement, urges the President to reconsider, and encourages Congress to prioritize U.S. leadership on climate change.
House Resolution Condemns Paris Agreement Withdrawal: Urges Action, Cites $150B Annual Climate Costs
This House resolution throws shade at the President's decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement on climate change—and it's not holding back. Basically, it's a formal statement saying, "We disapprove," and pushes for the U.S. to get back in the game.
Saying "No" to the Exit
The resolution flat-out disagrees with the move to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. It reminds everyone that 2024 was the hottest year ever, and the last 10 years were scorching too, since way back in 1850. It spells out that climate change is messing with Americans' health, wallets, and overall safety, highlighting the rise in crazy weather events that are costing us around $150 billion a year. From 2018 to 2022 alone, we saw 89 disasters that each racked up over a billion dollars in damages.
The Real-World Impact
This isn't just about international paperwork. Think about it like this: more extreme weather means more risk for everyone, from farmers dealing with unpredictable seasons to coastal homeowners facing bigger storms. Businesses could see higher insurance rates, and taxpayers might end up footing the bill for more frequent disaster relief. The resolution points out that these disasters aren't just numbers—they're real hits to real people, costing close to $150 billion annually.
Team Climate
It's not all doom and gloom, though. The resolution also gives a shout-out to the states, cities, and businesses that are sticking with the Paris Agreement's goals, even if the federal government is taking a step back. A group of 22 states has teamed up in the "United States Climate Alliance," and it turns out that 68% of Americans are actually on board with the Paris Agreement. This part of the resolution is a high-five to everyone keeping the climate fight alive at the local level.
What's Next?
This resolution is also a nudge (or maybe a shove) to the President to reconsider and to Congress to get serious about climate leadership. It urges the President to reverse the withdrawal. It's a call to action, pushing for policies that could affect everything from energy regulations to infrastructure investments. While resolutions like this don't have the force of law, they can influence the conversation and put pressure on policymakers. It's basically Congress saying, "Climate change is a big deal, and we need to act like it."