Republicans warn foreign governments against negotiating deals with the Obama administration

The Obama administration's initial plan for talks with the United Nations on climate change has opened the door for Republican's to warn other countries to "proceed with caution" when negotiating with Washington during the present time. Those Republicans insist any deal made now could later be undone.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The White House is trying to "enshrine its pledge in a global climate agreement... it calls for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by close to 28 percent from 2005 levels" by 2020, according to Reuters. This will be done by using existing laws and executive actions that target vehicles, oil and gas production and power plants.

However, Republicans against such a plan stress the administration lacks both the political and legal backing it needs to commit to an international agreement.

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According to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the United States can't even get all of its states to agree on a plan, making a withstanding international commitment unlikely.

"Considering that two-thirds of the U.S. federal government hasn't even signed off on the Clean Power Plan and 13 states have already pledged to fight it, our international partners should proceed with caution before entering into a binding, unattainable deal," he explained.

On March 9, 47 Republicans wrote an "open letter" issuing a similar warning to Iran, stating a Republican president would not be bound to any agreement Obama makes with them; calling it a "mere executive agreement."

The growing resistance leaves many foreign governments questioning if any commitments made with Obama will last.

"By strenuously invoking EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] regulations, the Administration is trying to convince skeptical international audiences that the U.S. can actually deliver on its new climate goals, despite Republican resistance," said Paul Bledsoe, a former Clinton White House official who is now with the German Marshall Fund of the United States. "But major capitals are likely to remain nervous."

However, those in favor of the EPA regulations remain optimistic, noting the various rules under the Clean Air Act can withstand scrutiny and that, although they can be slowed or modified, many of the rules are difficult to do away with completely.

"We don't need a plan B if we are solid on our plan A," EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said.

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