GOP senators take aim at potential climate deal

Senior Senate Republicans continued Wednesday to cast doubt on the effectiveness of a potential climate deal in Paris while calling again for a round of congressional votes on the agreement. 

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee and a chief critic of President Obama’s climate agenda, warned that, if negotiators craft a deal that won’t require U.S. Senate ratification, it will make for an ineffective climate accord. 

{mosads}Inhofe — who, in a floor speech, frequently referred to the two-week climate conference in Paris as a “party” — said Congress has already had its say against Obama’s climate rules for power plants, and that lawmakers may do the same under a Republican presidential administration down the road. 

“Nothing is happening over there now,” he said.

“They’re having a good time, and I’m sure they’re having enough to eat and enough to drink, but that party will be over. … Enjoy your party over there, nothing is going to happen, nothing binding is going to take place on this issue.”

Officials hope to finalize an international deal on climate change by the weekend, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions around the world. Negotiators intend to craft a deal that is not legally-binding so the Senate — with its Republican majority — won’t take a vote on the matter.  

Republicans also took issue with Secretary of State John Kerry’s Wednesday pledge to double the amount of funding the U.S. provides to help developing countries deal with climate change. The U.S. currently spends about $400 million annually on the grants. 

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), who has pledged to block Obama funding requests for another international climate grant program, slammed that plan. 

“[Obama] seems to want to promise any policy, pledge any amount of money to get” a deal, Barrasso said in a floor speech. 

“The American people oppose sending their money to a United Nations climate slush fund. As their elected representatives, Congress must not allow the president to continue to try to buy popularity for himself using Americans’ tax dollars. Congress must not allow the president to use this meeting in Paris to advance his own legacy at the expense of the American people and the American economy.”