Newsletter - The United States Withdraws from the Paris Climate Agreement

June 2, 2017

Hello from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District –

I've been working from the district this week while Congress is out of session. It's been a busy week, and I've enjoyed connecting with several constituents, businesses, and organizations around the district.

When we return to Washington, D.C. next week, Congress will be debating the Financial CHOICE Act – landmark legislation to repeal the infamous Obama-era Dodd-Frank monstrosity. Look for more information on the Financial CHOICE Act from our office next week.

This week featured a few several news stories worth mentioning here. I hope you can take a moment to read them and let me know your thoughts on these important issues.

PARIS AGREEMENT

I was heartened to hear last week that President Trump did not succumb to pressures from other G7 nations to endorse the Paris Climate Agreement. In 2016, then-candidate Trump campaigned to prioritize American interests and vowed to cancel the United States' involvement in the international accord, stating that the "agreement gives foreign bureaucrats control over how much energy we use right here in America." He was exactly right, and I trusted he would follow through with his promise.

The Paris Climate Agreement was conceived without consent from the U.S. Senate and is another example of President Obama's prolific assault on American energy production. The agreement increases onerous, job-killing regulations and commits billions of American taxpayer dollars to the Green Climate Fund. It also obligates the United States to adhere to specific targets to reduce emissions, but lacks true accountability for other nations to uphold their parts of the agreement.

Yesterday afternoon, President Trump followed through with this significant promise to the American people by removing the nation from the Paris Climate Agreement. This agreement was the capstone of the Obama administration's attempt to circumvent the constitutional powers of Congress and the antithesis of job creation and American energy production. By withdrawing from the agreement, President Trump has signaled to foreign powers and bureaucrats that the United States will not be subject to unattainable and unproductive environmental standards that will have a detrimental effect on hard-working Americans. I applaud President Trump for his forward thinking, commitment to his promises, and protection of American sovereignty.

Biggs support present Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement

NEW PLANNED PARENTHOOD REPORT

Earlier this week, Planned Parenthood released its annual report for 2015-2016, showing an increase in abortions from the previous fiscal year. The American Center for Law and Justice showed that while abortions are rising at the abortion industry leader, women's health services are falling:

In category after category, the women's health services Planned Parenthood touts it provides are dropping:

"Breast Exams" – 11.6% drop in services
"Cryotherapy [Cancer Screening/Prevention] Procedures" – 17.9% drop in services
"Colposcopy [Cancer Screening/Prevention] Procedures" – 12.8% drop in services
Overall "Cancer Screening & Prevention" – 2.5% drop in services
"Genital Warts (HPV) Treatments" – 15% drop in services
"HPV Vaccinations" – 6.7% drop in services
"Pregnancy Tests" – 7.9% drop in services
"Birth control information and services provided" – 4.6% drop in services
"Reversible Contraception Clients, Women" – 3.6% drop in services
"Emergency Contraception Kits" – 17.6% drop in services
"Female Sterilization Procedures" – 18.5% drop in services
"Prenatal Services" – 45.9% drop in services

This rare moment of honesty from Planned Parenthood should give new resolve to Congress to defund the organization – not just for a year, but forever. I'm continuing to work with my colleagues to find a way to do this and to protect all innocent life.

AMBER ALERT IN INDIAN COUNTRY ACT

Last week on National Missing Children's Day, I introduced the AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2017. This legislation closes a loophole in the original AMBER Alert authorization that prevented Indian tribes from being eligible to apply for Department of Justice Grants to assemble a child abduction warning system on Native American reservations. The bill additionally requires the U.S. Attorney General to report to Congress on specific readiness, education, training needs, technological challenges, or other obstacles specific to Indian tribes in implementing this system.

The AMBER Alert program has been remarkably successful since its inception, helping law enforcement and local communities locate more than 800 abducted children and return them to their homes. I was surprised to learn that this program did not extend to Indian countries, which is the reason for the introduction of this bipartisan legislation. No child – regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, or birthplace – should be outside the protection and jurisdiction of such a vital security resource, and I am proud to lead this bill.

I spoke on the House floor last week in support of my bill. You can view the statement here:

JOBS REPORT

Another month, another terrific jobs report from the private sector! A reported 253,000 jobs were added last month – continued success for the early work of President Trump and the 115^th Congress. We continue to pursue policies that will open up boundless economic opportunities for significant job creation. Stay tuned – this is expected to improve even more once we pass tax reform.

MISSILE DEFENSE

Last week, the U.S. Defense Department completed a successful missile defense test off the Pacific Ocean. I was pleased to learn that Orbital ATK and Boeing, two businesses that have a big footprint in Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, made great contributions to make this test possible. Thank you, Orbital ATK and Boeing, for your work.

I was very pleased to see the successful test by the U.S. military. Missile defense is a crucial component of our national defense and vital for our security and peace of mind.

VA FIRING

One news story in particular caught my eye this week – about a Puerto Rico hospital director, fired for repeated incidents on January 20^th. This director was recently reinstated to the VA after appealing his case. This story mirrors that of Sharon Helman's, the Phoenix VA hospital director who was relieved of her duties after a whistleblower disclosed a string of scandals under her watch. Ms. Helman's termination was temporarily overturned last month, and I spoke on this case a couple weeks ago on the House Floor.

Congress has taken steps to reform the Veterans Administration, but we must finish the job. American veterans are counting on us to keep our promises and protect them from self-serving bureaucrats. Our office intends to help do just that.

To this end, I will be meeting with VA Undersecretary Dr. Poonam Alaigh next week at my office to discuss my serious concerns with the Phoenix VA, as well as specific cases that have been raised by several constituents. I look forward to a productive conversation and hope for positive outcomes from this discussion.

BELATED MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE

If you follow me on social media, you should have seen the posts over the past weekend about my special order to commemorate Memorial Day. If you did not see those posts, please watch the following videos of my floor speech. Thank you to those who have served our country with honor.

FOLLOW US

To keep track of what my office is doing for Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, make sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow me on social media:

Our office is currently looking for interns in both my Washington, D.C. and Arizona offices. Click here if you are interested in applying for an internship with my office.

If you cannot get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, my district office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. Visit my website to access the privacy consent form and call my district office to set up an appointment with one of my knowledgeable District Representatives.

As always, I am extremely humbled by the trust that you have bestowed upon me and honored to serve as your Congressman.

Sincerely,

Andy Biggs
Member of Congress