East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both Republicans from Idaho, along with several of their Republican colleagues, have sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging his administration to reconsider its support for constraints on manufacturing related to chemicals and plastic products. The letter addresses concerns about the potential impacts of a global plastics treaty.

The Senators expressed disappointment in what they describe as the administration's decision to yield to pressure from environmental activists. "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," they wrote.

Highlighting past U.S. efforts, the Senators emphasized that during negotiations, America aimed to reach an agreement addressing plastic pollution while supporting American innovation. "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," they continued.

They warned that changes in U.S. policy might undermine progress toward a treaty beneficial for ending plastic pollution without harming American interests. "This last-minute change in U.S. policy could sabotage years of positive collaboration and progress in brokering a treaty that ends plastic pollution, unlocks innovation, and importantly, that could be ratified by the U.S. Senate."

The Senators stressed the need for strong U.S. leadership in addressing global plastic waste issues while cautioning against agreements detrimental to American industries or consumer costs. "The world will need U.S. leadership in ending plastic pollution. 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," they concluded.

The letter was co-signed by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Todd Young (R-Indiana), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina).

For those interested, further details can be found within the full text of their letter.