We are, once again, just weeks away from a government shutdown. The bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) —passed barely over a month ago to narrowly avert a shutdown — is set to expire on Nov. 17. Unfortunately, the weekslong showdown in the House over who would succeed Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) as speaker means that very little progress has been made toward a final budget agreement for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 24).
Now that the House has a speaker, this important work continues.
As the world continues to edge toward a climate emergency, funding decisions to support vulnerable communities, species, and depleting environments must remain a priority in spending decisions.
We need to be working to fulfill our promises, not rolling back U.S. global climate leadership.
That’s why ensuring Congress robustly funds international climate assistance in the FY 24 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPs) appropriations bill remains a top concern for FCNL and our network of advocates. Our advocacy for international climate assistance for our neighbors in developing countries during this time is critical.
Morally, supporting global climate assistance should be imperative to our lawmakers. After all, the United States is one of the leading historic emitters of the greenhouse gases that are fueling climate change. Yet, from floods to famines, the failure of the U.S. government to act has forced developing countries to shoulder a disparate amount of the burden. Many of these countries lack the financial means to do so in effective, sustainable ways.
The United States and other wealthy nations have committed to spending billions annually to help these countries transition to clean energy and adapt to the ravages of climate change. But despite these promises, current legislation in the House would outright block funding to implement climate change executive orders or for critical international climate finance institutions. These policy changes are on top of the severe funding cuts present in the House bill.
We have a moral and national security obligation that transcends partisanship to restore the earth and protect vulnerable communities.
We need to be working to fulfill our promises, not rolling back U.S. global climate leadership.
The frequency and severity of climate events worldwide are not only rising, but also fueling conflicts, driving migration, and jeopardizing the economic and political stability that’s essential for peace. International climate assistance directly serves the national security interests of the United States by proactively preventing conflict, economic disaster, and human suffering.
We have a moral and national security obligation that transcends partisanship to restore the earth and protect vulnerable communities. Supporting global climate assistance supports the safety and prosperity of us all.
