Schumer: If Trump Moves Forward with Fake Climate Panel, We Will Be Introducing Legislation to Defund It

EXCERPT:

SCHUMER: “So according to reports, the White House now has plans to set up a fake panel of cherry-picked scientists who question the severity of climate change in order to, quote, counter the scientific consensus on this terribly urgent problem, even within the administration. This new panel will be reportedly set up under the National Security Council, not the EPA, not NOAA, or any of the agencies where the real scientists work, real climate scientists. This may be the most conspicuous symptom of the disease of climate denialism that has infected the Republican Party and the hard right. This is beyond willful ignorance. This is intentional, deliberate sowing of disinformation about climate science by our own government. So this cannot stand. So this morning I’m announcing that if the Trump Administration moves forward with this fake climate panel, we will be introducing legislation to defund it. I will be doing it along with several of my colleagues. It is long past time for President Trump and Republican leaders to admit that climate change is real, that human activity contributes to it, and Congress must take action to counter it. So far leader McConnell and our Republicans, when we ask them 'Do you believe climate change is real,' silence. 'Do you believe humans cause it?' Silence. 'Do you believe Congress has to act to deal with it?' Silence. That will not stand, and they will not be able to maintain that position for the next — over a period of time."