Ted Cruz criticised for claiming Biden’s Paris Agreement reversal will ‘harm livelihoods of Americans’
Following the inauguration on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Mr Biden issued 17 executive orders, undoing some of the policies enforced by predecessor Donald Trump, including the controversial decision to withdraw from the multilateral agreement.
The international treaty is considered the biggest global effort to curb climate change, which aims to limit global warming “well below” 2C compared to pre-industrial levels.
The agreement was signed by world leaders in Paris before Mr Trump pulled out of the deal in 2017.
Mr Cruz, who supported Mr Trump’s claims that the election was “stolen” by the Democrats, tweeted: “By rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, President Biden indicates he’s more interested in the views of the citizens of Paris than in the jobs of the citizens of Pittsburgh.
“This agreement will do little to affect the climate and will harm the livelihoods of Americans.”
The tweet from Mr Cruz ignited criticism for indicating that the resurgence of the deal will only benefit residents of the French capital despite it being a multinational treaty.
Among those calling out the Republican’s tweet was Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who sarcastically tweeted: “So happy that the USA has finally rejoined the Pittsburgh Agreement. Welcome back!”
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., also responded to Mr Cruz’s tweet, saying: "Quick question: do you also believe the Geneva Convention was about the views of the citizens of Geneva?"
Mr Cruz’s comments come as Mr Biden continues to make a number of changes, including an increase in coronavirus measures to tackle the pandemic.
Coronavirus has claimed over 406,000 lives according to Johns Hopkins University, and it’s believed Mr Biden is set to sign 10 executive orders to combat the widespread growth of the virus.
Mr Biden's Covid-19 task force coordinator, Jeff Zients, told reporters that under Mr Trump there was no clear strategy at a federal level.
"As President Biden steps into office today, that all changes," he said.
The Trump administration was widely criticised for its approach to handling the pandemic.
"The American people deserve an urgent, robust and professional response to the growing public health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak," an introduction to the plan said.
Their aim is to give 100 million vaccine doses by the end of April and to safely reopen schools within 100 days.
Community facilities and stadiums will also become vaccine centres and there will be a mandate to ensure those on federal government property are social distancing and wearing masks.
