Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, alongside 19 Republican colleagues, has urged President Biden to reconsider his administration's stance on potential constraints affecting U.S. manufacturing and the development of a global plastics treaty. The letter, led by Senator Jim Risch, expresses concern over proposed restrictions that could impact chemicals and plastic products.

"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 letter highlights that throughout negotiations, the U.S. aimed to create an agreement addressing plastic pollution while supporting American innovation in product design and recycling technologies. The senators warn that changes in policy could undermine progress toward a treaty ending plastic pollution.

"The world will need U.S. leadership in ending plastic pollution," they noted. "A treaty that fails to gain the support of two thirds of the Senate will embolden countries like China who leak significant amounts of plastic waste into the environment."

Senators signing this appeal include Dan Sullivan, Ted Cruz, Pete Ricketts, Todd Young, Kevin Cramer, Mike Crapo, Bill Cassidy, John Boozman, Ted Budd, Marsha Blackburn, Markwayne Mullin, John Kennedy, John Cornyn, John Barrasso, Thom Tillis, Cynthia Lummis, Roger Wicker and Lindsey Graham.

The correspondence urges for continued negotiation towards a treaty compatible with U.S. interests while ensuring accountability from other nations contributing significantly to global plastic pollution.