Senator Murray Denounces President Trump’s Decision to Withdraw from Paris Climate Accord

Murray: Reneging on global goals to combat climate change puts Washington state families’ health and safety at risk and hurts the American economy 

Backing out of international climate agreement subverts U.S. credibility and influence on the world stage 

(Washington, D.C.) –  Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement that he will withdraw the United States from the international Paris Climate Agreement:

“It is truly a sad commentary that when faced with two choices– to either uphold the Paris climate deal to combat perhaps the most significant challenge of our time, or, to abdicate all responsibility and walk away– President Trump chose the latter. This is especially cruel as Washington state is already grappling with the harsh effects of climate change, from ocean acidification and shrinking glaciers on Mt. Rainier, to more intense droughts and crop damage, and bigger, more devastating wildfires. Our children, and our children’s children, will remember the moment when the President of the United States of America chose the short-sighted political payoff despite scientific fact, overwhelming global support, long-term financial stability, and the will of millions of families he vowed to represent. To say I’m disappointed with President Trump’s decision is an understatement.”

Read Senator Murray and Senate Democrats’ May 24 letter to President Trump discouraging him from withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and a May 4 Senate resolution expressing support for the global accord.