Republican lawmakers reacted with stunned laughter after the Biden-Harris administration announced it would cut back on the use of plastic cups and utensils in federal agencies to curb so-called “climate change.”
Last month, the Biden-Harris team announced they were taking “ambitious action” to address plastic pollution at every stage of plastic’s lifecycle. As part of that effort, officials want to phase out “procurement” of single-use plastic food service and packaging products from federal agencies by 2027, and eliminate them “from all federal operations” by 2035.
“This is yet another message and absurdity and a direct attack on the entire industry.”
like that Single-use plastics and polystyrene Straws, cups, cutlery, packaging and disposable bags White House statement It’s been called the “plastic pollution crisis” and “has a disproportionate impact[s] A community that cares about environmental justice.”
Biden and Harris separate exception The case for “national security.” Apparently, disposable plastic cups and straws are crucial to protecting intelligence agencies and undercover agents from “unauthorized disclosure.”
“Today’s action further leverages federal purchasing power to reduce emissions, protect public health, and promote markets for new sustainable products. It also strengthens domestic efforts to strengthen U.S. leadership in ongoing international efforts to forge strong agreements to address the plastic pollution crisis around the world,” the statement added.
Republicans have dismissed the measures as “ridiculous” and unrealistic.
“This is a much stronger message, a much dumber one, and a direct hit to the entire industry,” said Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla. “And it’s obviously not on everybody’s radar. It seems unrelated to the deficit issue because it’s going to raise costs for a lot of people.”
Sen. Mike Lee of Utah suggested Biden and Harris focus their efforts on shrinking the size of government rather than reducing plastic use. “If you want to shrink government as a consumer, then shrink government,” Lee said.
Since the new policy would most likely affect “military bases” and other “government workplaces,” Senator Lee further questioned, “what about those who need supplies to move?”
Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota pointed out that the timing of the announcement could not have been worse, coming less than a week after former President Donald Trump was nearly assassinated and less than a month before global stock markets crashed on reports of a looming U.S. recession.
“The world is on fire and he’s worried about plastic forks,” Lowndes joked.
“Yes, I understand that plastic is a pollutant and we need to do more, but I’m a little hesitant to say that this plastic ban is a good thing.”
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