CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE TAKES ACTION TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS, PROTECT PLANET FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

(Rochester, NY) – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle joined House colleagues in taking action to address the climate change crisis by passing H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act. Co-sponsored by Rep. Morelle, this legislation reaffirms federal commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and calls on the President to develop—and make public—a long-term plan to meet the environmental protection goals the United States has already pledged to uphold.

"Climate change is, without a doubt, the most pressing threat not only to the future of our nation, but our entire planet," said Rep. Morelle. "That's why I'm so proud to join my colleagues in passing this legislation to fight back against the Trump administration's repeated attempts to dismantle critical environmental protections, reaffirm the principles of the Paris Climate Agreement, and take an important step towards protecting our planet for future generations."

On June 1, 2017, President Trump announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement – making the U.S. the only country to reject the global pact. H.R. 9, The Climate Action Now Act, reaffirms Congress's commitment to a global solution to climate change by prohibiting any federal funds from being used to advance the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.

Furthermore, this legislation calls on the President to develop and make public a plan for how the U.S. will meet the pollution reduction goals submitted to the world in 2015.

"America has an obligation to lead on this issue and to help facilitate a partnership that addresses this global concern," continued Morelle. "There is still much work to be done, and I will continue to work towards creative solutions that protect our clean air and water, strengthen renewable resources, reduce our carbon footprint, and protect the health of our planet."

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