12.04.09

United States Should Support Climate Adaptation at Home First

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following statement in response to President Obama’s call for $10 billion a year to support climate change adaptation and mitigation in developing countries, a “fair share” of which will be paid for by the United States:

“I’m surprised the president would commit our nation to billions in new and long-term spending, particularly in a year that has seen our government rack up a record deficit, and before our economy is back on track,” Murkowski said. “I’m also disappointed that the administration has chosen to prioritize international assistance over funding that should first go to Alaska, and other places in America that badly need assistance with adaptation. My home state of Alaska literally has villages falling into the ocean – where’s the support for the people in our own country being affected by climate change?”

Murkowski believes that the United States should take economically responsible action on climate change. As the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources she continues to advance responsible solutions to move toward a clean, secure energy future.

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