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Dan Crenshaw
10/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/16/2024 09:44
Congressman Crenshaw Leads Congressional Criticism of Biden-Harris Push for Harmful Plastic Production Caps
WASHINGTON, DC-On October 15, Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) led a letter sent by Members from the House Energy and Commerce Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee to United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken raising concerns about the Biden-Harris administration's recent announcement supporting plastic production caps in the United Nations' Global Plastics Treaty. Their new position is alarming, as production limits on plastic manufacturing would significantly hamper U.S. economic activity and make the country more dependent on foreign countries with lower emissions standards.
Plastics are critical to countless industries and products including medical devices, consumer electronics, and military equipment. The U.S. plastics industry contributes $543 billion to the national economy, over one million jobs, and at least $862 billion in tax revenue, making them a driver of economic activity and employment opportunities. U.S. plastic producers are already heavily regulated by strict environmental laws and regulations and produce plastic with fewer emissions and less pollution than many of our global competitors. If the Biden-Harris administration does not change course, the United States risks losing economic opportunities, weakening critical supply chains, and inadvertently increasing global plastic pollution.
Lastly, the Biden-Harris administration's framework has raised serious legal concerns given that it is unclear on what authority exists for imposing artificial caps on how much plastics private companies can produce. The State Department's support of a position that may be challenging or illegal for the federal government to enforce could jeopardize the diplomatic reputation the U.S.
"One of the perineal problems of the Biden-Harris administration is their inability to strike a balance between policy goals and real-world consequences-especially when it concerns environmental policy," said Congressman Crenshaw. "This decision will harm American workers and consumers, while doing nothing to actually address plastic waste. Instead of focusing on increasing recycling and improving plastic waste management, this administration has decided to endorse unworkable plastic production caps. It's a short-sighted, feel-good policy that won't make a positive impact."
"The Plastics Industry Association and our members are committed to keeping plastic waste out of our environment and in the economy," said Matt Seaholm President and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association."We appreciate Congressman Crenshaw's support of our industry and all sectors of the economy that we support. Limiting the production of a material that is essential to the function of countless industries throughout our economy is not the solution. This move would increase our reliance on foreign supply chains and threaten over one million American jobs supported by the plastics industry, and millions more throughout the manufacturing sector, without delivering intended environmental benefits. Instead of targeting the production of specific materials, we can advance effective policies, such as investing in the enhancement of our nation's recycling infrastructure, which will help us to improve circularity and achieve the shared goal of keeping plastic out of the environment."
Read the full letter here.
Plastics are critical to countless industries and products including medical devices, consumer electronics, and military equipment. The U.S. plastics industry contributes $543 billion to the national economy, over one million jobs, and at least $862 billion in tax revenue, making them a driver of economic activity and employment opportunities. U.S. plastic producers are already heavily regulated by strict environmental laws and regulations and produce plastic with fewer emissions and less pollution than many of our global competitors. If the Biden-Harris administration does not change course, the United States risks losing economic opportunities, weakening critical supply chains, and inadvertently increasing global plastic pollution.
Lastly, the Biden-Harris administration's framework has raised serious legal concerns given that it is unclear on what authority exists for imposing artificial caps on how much plastics private companies can produce. The State Department's support of a position that may be challenging or illegal for the federal government to enforce could jeopardize the diplomatic reputation the U.S.
"One of the perineal problems of the Biden-Harris administration is their inability to strike a balance between policy goals and real-world consequences-especially when it concerns environmental policy," said Congressman Crenshaw. "This decision will harm American workers and consumers, while doing nothing to actually address plastic waste. Instead of focusing on increasing recycling and improving plastic waste management, this administration has decided to endorse unworkable plastic production caps. It's a short-sighted, feel-good policy that won't make a positive impact."
"The Plastics Industry Association and our members are committed to keeping plastic waste out of our environment and in the economy," said Matt Seaholm President and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association."We appreciate Congressman Crenshaw's support of our industry and all sectors of the economy that we support. Limiting the production of a material that is essential to the function of countless industries throughout our economy is not the solution. This move would increase our reliance on foreign supply chains and threaten over one million American jobs supported by the plastics industry, and millions more throughout the manufacturing sector, without delivering intended environmental benefits. Instead of targeting the production of specific materials, we can advance effective policies, such as investing in the enhancement of our nation's recycling infrastructure, which will help us to improve circularity and achieve the shared goal of keeping plastic out of the environment."
Read the full letter here.