NYC Gazette

WASHINGTON, DC – On June 22, 2023, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Legislative Branch Subcommittee, issued the following opening remarks during the Committee’s markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Defense appropriations bill. 

**As prepared for delivery** 

Thank you, Madame Chair. I rise in opposition to this bill, which fails to support critical climate change initiatives. Scientists agree that once Earth reaches 2.7 degrees of global heating, we reach the “point of no return” for climate change. 

According to the U.N., Earth has already experienced 2.0 degrees of global heating—so we are running out of time. Instead of acknowledging the need to save our planet, this Defense appropriations bill cuts $714.8 million from climate-related initiatives. 

These cuts would gut the Defense Department’s environmental restoration programs, which restore used land and protect the environment on military installations and surrounding areas. The bill also shamefully bans funding for all current and future greenhouse gas reduction initiatives that may be proposed by the Defense Department. Our Defense Department, like all other agencies, must take a proactive role in fighting climate change. 

This bill is against basic science and fails our children. I yield.

Original source can be found here.