WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the announcement that the United States and the People’s Republic of China will sign the Paris Agreement on April 22, the first day the agreement opens for signature:

“The commitment by the United States and China to sign the Paris Agreement on day one sends a strong and positive message to the rest of the world. As the world’s two largest economies, energy consumers, and carbon emitters, our countries should lead the way in the transition to a low-carbon global economy.  Our quick action will give the agreement momentum right out of the gate and encourage other governments to follow suit.  After all, the agreement’s success depends on the participation of all countries.

“The United States and China are often at odds on a number of competing interests, but our shared concern over the threat of climate change has led to a strong partnership on this issue.  The fact that our countries can put aside differences to meet this challenge makes it all the more bizarre that the Republican Party continues to deny the reality of this problem.  A generation from now, when we’ve hopefully made real progress dealing with climate change, people will look back in utter disbelief that so many American leaders hid their heads in the sand while the rest of us joined the world in overcoming the greatest collective challenge of our time.”

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