Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, alongside 19 Republican colleagues, has urged President Biden's administration to reconsider its stance on global constraints related to manufacturing and the potential banning of chemicals and plastic products in a forthcoming international treaty. The letter was spearheaded by Senator Jim Risch, who holds the position of Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"It is unfortunate the administration appears to have succumbed to pressure from extremist environmental activists and now supports constraints on manufacturing and the development of target lists that identify chemicals and plastic products to be banned around the world in the potential treaty," wrote the senators.

The group emphasized their belief that U.S. leadership is crucial in ending plastic pollution globally. They argued that any treaty failing to secure two-thirds Senate support could empower countries like China, which are significant contributors to plastic waste.

"Throughout the negotiating process, the United States positioned itself to broker an agreement that not only seizes upon a historic opportunity to end plastic pollution in the environment, but one that also bolsters American manufacturing by supporting innovative new product designs and recycling technologies," continued the senators.

The letter outlined concerns over potential negative impacts on American jobs and consumer costs should such a treaty be ratified without addressing these issues. The senators urged for a treaty aligned with U.S. interests that could hold other nations accountable for their commitments against plastic pollution.

"The world will need U.S. leadership in ending plastic pollution," they concluded, stressing the importance of Senate involvement in any final agreement impacting domestic policy.

Besides Senators Capito and Risch, other signatories include Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).