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WASHINGTON. DC 20510

November 19, 2015

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Obama:

With the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris starting at
the end ofNovember, leaders and diplomats from around the world will be coming together in an
attempt to reach a climate agreement to address global greenhouse gas emissions. As members of the
United States Senate, we want to be on record expressing our concerns about the new Green Climate
Fund. We also want to reiterate our position that any agreement with binding timetables and targets
must be brought before Congress for approval.

We support international dialogue on global environmental problems. We do, however, have serious
concerns about the impact any deal reached in Paris will have on the American economy and our
international priorities. Our constituents are worried that the pledges you are committing the United
States to will strengthen foreign economies at the expense ofAmerican workers. They are also
skeptical about sending billions of their hard earned dollars to government of?cials from developing
nations.

Your administration agreed to help raise $100 billion annually in funding for developing nations as
part of the Green Climate Fund. The target for the Paris Conference was to raise an initial $10
billion. You have unilaterally pledged $3 billion in U.S. taxpayer funds to the Green Climate Fund
without the consent of Congress. Congress has never authorized funding for the Green Climate
Fund. While the Executive Branch and Congress both play an important role in the foreign policy of
our nation, Congress ultimately holds the power of the purse. We pledge that Congress will not
allow US. taxpayer dollars to go to the Green Climate Fund until the forthcoming international
ciimate agreement is submitted to the Senate for its constitutional advice and consent.

We therefore request that you direct United States Special Envoy Todd Stern to be forthcoming with
his foreign counterparts representing developing nations in Paris about the views of members of
Congress. He must provide these nations with the full picture of where a co-equal U.S. branch of
government stands on these issues. He must explain that Congress will not be forthcoming with
these funds in the future without a vote in the Senate on any final agreement as required in the US.
Constitution.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

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