Senator Schatz: Senate Republicans Creating Political Theater In An Attempt To Undermine Climate Negotiators

Washington, D.C – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, voted against partisan resolutions to roll back new rules that would regulate carbon pollution from new and existing power plants.  Experts estimate that when the Clean Power Plan is fully in place in 2030, there will be 1,500 to 3,600 fewer premature deaths, 90,000 fewer asthma attacks in children, up to 1,700 fewer heart attacks, 1,700 fewer hospital admissions, and 300,000 fewer missed school and work days.  The Clean Power Plan will also spur growth in the clean jobs industry by encouraging the development of cleaner, more efficient sources of power.  

“Today, the Senate voted to roll back the first limits on carbon pollution imposed on our nation’s power plants,” said Senator Schatz.  “This is purely political theater, with no chance of becoming law.  If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle had their way, we’d see an increase in carbon pollution that would threaten public health and our environment.  That would accelerate climate change, cede our global leadership, and deny us the economic benefits of the Clean Power Plan.

“This is not a constructive proposal but an attempt to obfuscate the facts and undermine U.S. climate negotiators as they work to craft an international agreement to slow the pace of global warming. The rest of the world is acting on climate, and an overwhelming majority of Americans agree that it’s time we do the same.”

The Republican resolutions passed with a partisan vote of 52-46 and face certain vetoes from President Obama.

Earlier today, Senator Schatz spoke on the Senate floor to defend the President’s Clean Power Plan.  To watch video of Senator Schatz’s floor speech, click here.