Krishnamoorthi Condemns President Trump's Decision to Abandon U.S. Commitments by Withdrawing from Paris Climate Agreement

As the White House withdraws the United States from the commitments it made in the Paris Climate Agreement, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement:

“Abandoning the commitments we made in the Paris Climate Agreement is a massive self-inflicted wound to our environment, our global influence, and our economy. The damage caused by this decision is undeniable and that’s why the first piece of legislation I wrote as a member of Congress called for our country to keep the pledges we made in this agreement, the promises we made to the world, and to ourselves. President Trump is ceding American leadership in the green economy and the vital effort to counter the effects of global climate change. This decision must not stand.

We must continue to resist global climate change through continuing our commitment to clean energy and other green technology. As the former president of a clean energy company, I know how important these advancements are to our economy and to reversing our dangerous environmental course. I refuse to accept the premise that the United States or the world is better off when we refuse to lead or even join the struggle against this global threat."

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi represents the 8th District of Illinois, which includes Chicago’s west and northwest suburbs. He serves on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. In addition, Raja serves as the ranking member, and top Democrat, on the Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits, and Administrative Rules. Krishnamoorthi served as an Illinois Special Assistant Attorney General in the public corruption unit and as Illinois Deputy Treasurer before becoming president of small businesses in the Chicago area focused on the national security and renewable energy sectors. He and his wife, Priya, a physician, live in Schaumburg with their two sons and baby daughter.