WASHINGTON - U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the following statement today after President Trump announced the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.

Chairman Smith: “By withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement, President Trump has freed America from a bad deal that would cost billions of dollars but have little significant environmental benefit. Former President Obama bypassed Congress when he agreed to the deal, putting our nation at an economic disadvantage and imposing huge burdens on American families and businesses. President Trump’s decision will allow America to move forward with policies based on sound science and smart cost-benefit analyses to ensure Americans don’t bear the brunt of the all-pain, no-gain policies of the previous administration.”

 

Background

  • On Nov. 4, 2016, Chairman Smith released a statement after the Paris climate agreement went into effect.
  • On Sept. 22, 2016, Chairman Smith released a statement after more than 20 nations formally agreed to the Paris climate deal.
  • April 22, 2016: Smith: The President’s Climate-Change Agenda Will Cost American Families (National Review, Opinion)
  • On Feb. 2, 2016, the Science Committee held a hearing titled Paris Climate Promise: A Bad Deal for America. The hearing examined the various scientific, economic, and other policy issues surrounding President Obama’s pledge to the Paris agreement.
  • Jan. 7, 2016: Smith: Climate exaggeration (Washington Examiner, Opinion)
  • Dec. 13, 2015: Rep. Lamar Smith: Don't rely on bad climate deal (USA Today, Opinion)
  • On Dec. 12, 2015, Chairman Smith issued a statement in response to President Obama’s agreement to the climate deal.
  • On Dec. 1, 2015, the Science Committee held a hearing titled Pitfalls of Unilateral Negotiations at the Paris Climate Change Conference.
  • On Nov. 18, 2015, Chairman Smith delivered this opening statement at a hearing titled The Administration’s Empty Promises for the International Climate Treaty.
  • On April 15, 2015, the Science Committee held a hearing to examine the scientific justification for President Obama’s recently submitted climate pledge to the United Nations.
  • On March 31, 2015, Chairman Smith released a statement after the Obama administration submitted its climate change strategy to the United Nations.