OKC Standard

U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma has joined forces with U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, alongside 18 other Senate Republicans, in urging the Biden administration to reconsider its stance on manufacturing constraints and the development of target lists for banning certain chemicals and plastic products globally. The initiative was spearheaded by U.S. Senator Jim Risch from Idaho.

In their letter to President Biden, the senators expressed concern over what they see as an alignment with "extremist environmental activists" that could negatively impact American manufacturing. They emphasized that the U.S. had been poised to lead efforts against plastic pollution while supporting innovation in product design and recycling technologies.

The letter highlighted potential consequences if a treaty restricting chemical and plastic production were enacted without sufficient Senate support: “A treaty that fails to gain the support of two thirds of the Senate will embolden countries like China who leak significant amounts of plastic waste into the environment.”

The senators warned that any agreement perceived as harmful to American manufacturing or likely to increase costs for consumers would not be ratified by the Senate.

Among those signing the letter were Senators Dan Sullivan, Ted Cruz, Pete Ricketts, Todd Young, Kevin Cramer, Mike Crapo, Bill Cassidy, John Boozman, Ted Budd, Marsha Blackburn, John Kennedy, John Cornyn, John Barrasso, Thom Tillis, Cynthia Lummis, Roger Wicker, and Lindsey Graham.

The final negotiations for this treaty are expected later this year. The senators urged a focus on securing an agreement beneficial to both ending plastic pollution and bolstering U.S. economic interests.