Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) responded to reports that President Trump has decided to pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Rep. Peters – a former environmental lawyer – was selected to attend the Paris negotiations, is a member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and recently laid out his argument for President Trump to uphold the Paris Agreement. Rep. Peters issued the following statement:

“Pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement puts politics before cleaner air, cleaner water, a stronger economy, and the chance at a healthy planet for our children.

“This disastrous decision would cede American leadership at the very time when we should be in the driver’s seat leading the clean energy revolution to reduce air and water pollution. President Trump is sending a clear signal to the rest of the world that they should look to China and others for energy innovation, not the United States.

“My mission in public service is to make a difference in protecting our planet, and this shortsighted decision is wrong and does not put America first; in fact it does the opposite. I sincerely hope that President Trump reconsiders and listens to the military, the private sector, our brightest minds, and nearly every other nation in the world that sees climate change as an urgent threat to our security and our economy.

“But a vacuum of leadership in Washington has never stopped San Diego and California from forging ahead to keep our air and water clean and do more than our part in reducing pollution. Now, more than ever, we must be bold and decisive in pursuing the clean energy future that our children deserve.”