WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the Congressman’s amendment to prohibit the EPA from providing funds to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) passed the House of Representatives and was successfully attached to the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2016:
Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the Congressman’s amendment to prohibit the EPA from providing funds to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) passed the House of Representatives and was successfully attached to the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2016:
“The United Nations Environment Programme has a history of taking unusual and extreme policy positions including advocating for population control as well as other programs that do not support American interests. Furthermore, the funds appropriated by this Act are meant to be used domestically, not as a slush fund for environmental programs within the United Nations.
“During a time where our nation is drowning in debt and wasteful spending, it is inconceivable for the EPA to be squandering millions of American tax dollars in order to fund climate programs in countries such as Russia that show little to no support for the United States. This gross misuse of federal resources must come to a stop and I am pleased to see the House support my actions while using the ‘power of the purse’ to prevent funds for this garbage from being included in the final version of the bill.”
Background
There are multiple UNEP programs at which the EPA has funded in recent years, including one known as “UNEP Regional Program, Climate Benefits, Asia Pacific” as well as the “Russian Federation Support to the National Program of Action for the Protection of the Arctic”. For the latter project, resources go specifically to a Russian cause. Below is a description of the program taken directly from EPA’s website:
“This project centers on protection of the Arctic environment in Russia... This work will cover three broad areas:
1. “implementation of Russia's National Plan of Action for Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment from Anthropogenic Pollution (NPA-Arctic),
2. “hazardous chemicals management, and
3. “climate change mitigation, adaptation, and awareness.”
Congressman Gosar’s amendment is endorsed by Americans for Limited Government, Eagle Forum, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors and La Paz County Supervisor King Clapperton.
