Hoosier State Today

U.S. Senators Todd Young and Jim Risch, alongside a group of Republican senators, have addressed a letter to President Biden urging the administration to reconsider its stance on supporting constraints related to manufacturing and the development of lists targeting chemicals and plastic products for potential bans globally. This action comes amid discussions surrounding a possible international plastics treaty.

The senators expressed concern over what they describe as the administration yielding to "pressure from extremist environmental activists" by endorsing measures that could limit manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. They stated, "Throughout the negotiating process, the United States positioned itself to broker an agreement that not only seizes upon a historic opportunity to end plastic pollution in the environment, but one that also bolsters American manufacturing by supporting innovative new product designs and recycling technologies."

They warned that this shift in policy might undermine efforts made over several years towards creating a treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution while fostering innovation. "This last-minute change in U.S. policy could sabotage years of positive collaboration and progress," they noted.

The letter further highlights concerns about potential consequences if the treaty fails to secure support from two-thirds of the Senate. The senators argue that such an outcome would empower countries like China, which are significant contributors to global plastic waste. They caution against any agreement containing provisions detrimental to American manufacturing or consumer costs: "Any agreement that includes provisions harmful to American manufacturing and jobs... will not receive Senate ratification."

In addition to Young and Risch, 18 other Republican senators signed the letter, including Dan Sullivan, Shelley Moore Capito, Ted Cruz, Pete Ricketts, Kevin Cramer, Mike Crapo, Bill Cassidy, John Boozman, Ted Budd, Marsha Blackburn, Markwayne Mullin, John Kennedy, John Cornyn, John Barrasso, Thom Tillis, Cynthia Lummis, Roger Wicker and Lindsey Graham.

As negotiations continue later this year at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), these lawmakers advocate for a treaty aligned with U.S. interests—one capable of addressing plastic pollution without compromising domestic economic strengths or imposing excessive restrictions on production.