Politics & Government
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz: Biden Cares More About Paris Than Pittsburgh
The Republican Texas senator wasted little time criticizing President Joe Biden's decision to have the U.S. rejoin the Paris climate accord.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hours after attending President Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas lashed out at him for signing an executive order for the United State to rejoin the Paris climate accord.
Taking a years-old cue from former President Donald Trump, Cruz said the move indicates that Biden is "more interested in the views of the citizens of Paris than in the jobs of the citizens of Pittsburgh." When Trump pulled out of the accord in 2017, he said in a speech, "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris."
The Paris Agreement is an international climate change treaty adopted in 2015. Its goal is to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the goal of having a climate-neutral world by 2050.
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By rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, President Biden indicates he’s more interested in the views of the citizens of Paris than in the jobs of the citizens of Pittsburgh. This agreement will do little to affect the climate and will harm the livelihoods of Americans.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) January 20, 2021
Cruz's move irked Bill Peduto, who also warred with Trump over his Pittsburgh remarks. Since June 2017, Peduto had a pinned tweet stating that the city would follow the guidelines of the Paris agreement. After Biden's action, he unpinned the tweet and then fired back at Cruz.
Are you kidding me? Here we go, again... https://t.co/3WDuRqHFyX
— bill peduto (@billpeduto) January 21, 2021
Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, who represents Pittsburgh and several surrounding communities, also criticized Cruz.
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.@sentedcruz, you are clearly clueless and know nothing about #Pittsburgh. We have a diverse economy that understands that #ClimateChange is real and must be addressed. Go peddle your nonsense elsewhere.
— Mike Doyle (@USRepMikeDoyle) January 21, 2021
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo didn't go after Cruz, but indicated she was pleased with Biden's action on his first day in office.
I wish all the best to President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris. In rejoining the Paris Agreement today, this administration brings with it great hope for the planet. Together, we are stronger to address climate emergency. #InaugurationDay https://t.co/Lk7d6kqQoX
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) January 20, 2021
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