Press Releases

Washington, D.C. –  For this week’s #WastefulWednesday, Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05) has introduced a bill that would eliminate the Global Climate Change Initiative (GCCI) within the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Congressman Norman has released the following statement:

“In 2016, the final year of the Obama Administration, $1.5 billion was committed to the GCCI. In 2017, $160 million was appropriated for the GCCI. Instead of using such funds to help other countries address climate change, even while many of them plan to increase their emissions, the U.S. should invest in our own economic growth.

“For example, GCCI funds have been used to work with communities around the globe to adopt more sustainable forestry and land use practices. 31% of GCCI funds have been spent in Asia, 25% in Africa, 21% in Latin America, 4% in Europe, and 19% elsewhere. These funds are simply used to teach people better land practices around the world, and to fund clean energy programs.

“We must put the energy and economic needs of American families and businesses first through a plan that ensures energy security and economic vitality for decades to come, including by promoting development of our nation's vast energy resources. In contrast to that goal, GCCI is intended primarily to help other countries mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

View text of the bill here.