House Engages in Political Theater While Paris Climate Talks Seek Clean Energy Solutions

The U.S. House of Representatives passed two measures to prevent U.S. progress on climate change today, as President Obama and other leaders continued international talks about the global climate crisis in Paris.

The House votes were designed to undermine the Clean Power Plan, which puts the first-ever national limits on climate-disrupting pollution from U.S. power plants – the single biggest source of such pollution. The President has already said he would veto both measures.

“While the rest of the world is working to address the threat of climate change and protect the health and safety of people everywhere, some Members of Congress chose instead to waste time on resolutions that they already know will be vetoed,” said EDFAction president Elizabeth Thompson. “It was an empty gesture that only makes them look out of touch. Americans need leaders who will embrace innovative ideas that will protect us from the dangers of climate change and help us create a clean energy future. It’s time to end this blind allegiance to the status quo.”

The resolutions that passed today were S.J. Res. 23 and S.J. Res. 24. The Senate passed both measures last month, but with votes far short of the number needed to override a veto.

A new poll this week, by the New York Times and CBS News, showed that two-thirds of Americans support the U.S. joining an international climate change pact.