Newsletter: Addressing Global Climate Change
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There's a lot to share after another eventful week in Washington and back home in the Tenth District. Make sure to read to the end for an invitation to our upcoming workshop event on the federal budget.
Addressing Global Climate Change
Last week, I introduced the "Congressional Leadership in Mitigating Administration Threats to the Earth" or CLIMATE Act, (H.R. 1812). This bill would declare President Trump's recent anti-environment executive order null and void and prohibit federal funds from implementing, administering, or enforcing the order.
The President's executive order rolls back environmental protections and severely weakens our efforts to address global climate change. It ignores both the science and the impacts of global climate change, and jeopardizes our children's future by reorienting our policies backwards toward higher-emission sources of energy.
Weakening the Clean Power Plan, undercutting regulations on methane emissions, and lifting the moratorium on federal coal leases moves our energy policy in the wrong direction and makes it harder for the United States to comply with the international targets set under the Paris Agreement.
I believe the United States must continue to play a leadership role in the global effort to confront climate change, or risk losing that role to other countries. We need to lead, not just to protect our environment and national security, but to also ensure that the green energy jobs of tomorrow are created here at home.
Read more about the CLIMATE Act.
Monitoring Use of State Department Funds
President Trump has proposed devastating cuts to international diplomacy – including a 28 percent cut to the State Department budget. At the same time, recent news reports shed light on the State Department's role in supporting the private business travel of the Trump Organization.
Last week, I led a letter seeking more information from Secretary of State Tillerson on the use of official embassy resources to support the business travel of the Trump Organization.
Our diplomats serve the American people, not the President's business interests, and we must ensure they are not diverted from their important work.
Read the full letter to Secretary Tillerson.
Accepting Art Competition Submissions
Each spring, members of Congress sponsor a nation-wide art competition for local students. We are currently accepting submissions of art from Tenth District high school seniors. The winner will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year and will also receive a trip to Washington to attend an awards ceremony.
The Tenth District is home to some fantastically creative students and strong visual arts programs that nurture their talent. I can't wait to see what you create!
Find out more about the Congressional Art Competition and how to submit an entry.
YOU'RE INVITED: Federal Budget Workshop
Have an idea how to fix the federal budget? On Monday, April 17, I'll be hosting a workshop with the bipartisan Concord Coalition focused on the federal budget in Lake Forest from 6:00-8:00pm. We'll examine how several recent policy proposals would affect our nation's economy, debt and deficit, as well as work in small groups to formulate budget solutions.
Due to the format of the event, attendance is limited and registration is required.
To participate, please register online today!
Weekly Wrap-Up
Clockwise from Top: Speaking with visiting constituents during the annual AIPAC policy conference in Washington, Meeting with constituents at the Korean-American VOICE conference in Glenview, Taking a picture with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright after hearing her speak on the foreign policy challenges we face and the importance of continued investment in diplomacy.
As always, please continue to stay in touch and share your thoughts, either by calling our DC office at (202) 225-4835 or emailing via our website.
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Brad Schneider
Member of Congress