Senator Shelley Moore Capito, U.S. Senator for West Virginia | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Senator Shelley Moore Capito, U.S. Senator for West Virginia | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ranking Member of the Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.-05), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee, and U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas-10), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, have penned a follow-up letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. They are seeking clarity on the leadership structure of the Biden administration in setting international climate policy.
The committee leaders expressed concerns about John Podesta's role in international climate policy discussions with foreign leaders, which they believe exceeds his initial assignment to lead "interagency coordination" for the administration’s international climate policy.
In January 2024, it was announced that John Kerry would be stepping down from his role as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC). The White House declared that John Podesta would continue to lead global climate efforts by taking on the role of Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy.
President Biden appointed Mr. Podesta to this new position instead of nominating him for the SPEC role, which would have required Senate confirmation under legislation passed in 2021. This new position bears striking similarities to Secretary Kerry's former SPEC role.
The Republican leaders of the Senate EPW Committee and E&C Committee voiced their concerns in a March 5, 2024 letter to President Biden that this move appears to be an attempt by the administration to evade congressional oversight of its international climate policy.
The White House Counsel’s office responded by stating that Mr. Podesta's role is not a replacement for SPEC and that he now leads interagency coordination of the Administration’s international climate policy agenda. They also affirmed that the State Department will continue leading international climate diplomacy, including negotiations, for the United States.
Despite these assurances, Mr. Podesta has met with foreign leaders at least twice since assuming his new role, including hosting the Chinese Special Envoy for Climate Change.
The full letter from the four committee leaders can be read here.
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