WASHINGTON, DC — Representative August Pfluger (TX-11) along with U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, recently re-introduced the Real Emergencies Act, legislation to clarify that the President does not have the authority to declare a national emergency on the premise of climate change.

Rep. August Pfluger said: “President Biden and his radical administration are working around the clock to destroy American-made reliable energy sources. I am proud to join Senator Capito in introducing the Real Emergencies Act, which will prevent the White House from distracting from real emergencies - like skyrocketing inflation and record-high energy costs - by declaring climate change a national emergency. Our legislation ensures that President Biden does not abuse the power of his office to pursue his anti-American energy agenda against the will of the American people.”

“The Biden administration has repeatedly governed by executive overreach when it comes to energy and environmental regulations, ignoring the law and doing so without congressional approval. These regulations have made us less energy independent, led to higher prices for consumers, and created uncertainty for employers and workers across the country. The Real Emergencies Act would ensure the president cannot go further by declaring a national emergency, which would grant him more executive authority and grow the size of government all in the name of climate change,” Ranking Member Capito said.

Specifically, the Real Emergencies Act would prohibit the president from using the three primary statutory authorities available (the National Emergencies Act, the Stafford Act, and section 319 of the Public Health Service Act) to declare a national emergency solely on the basis of climate change. Actual national emergencies or major disasters (hurricanes, flooding, etc.) may still be declared.

Read the full text of the bill by clicking here.