Congressman Loudermilk: ‘I Fully Support' Paris Agreement Withdrawal

KENNESAW, GA -- In lock step with President Donald Trump, who Thursday announced his decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk lauded the White House's decision to abandon the accords.

The Paris Agreement, which nearly 200 nations have signed on to, is an international effort to curb global warming. Trump has characterized it as a threat to American jobs and its economy as a whole.

"We're getting out. And we will start to renegotiate and we'll see if there's a better deal. If we can, great. If we can't, that's fine," he said Thursday in the White House Rose Garden.

Loudermilk, who represents Georgia's 11 Congressional District, said former President Obama rammed the accord through via executive order, something that should have had the full support of American lawmakers.

Read more: Trump says he represents 'Pittsburgh, not Paris'

“Regardless of how good something may be, government officials are bound by the Constitution, and policies that place restrictions on Americans cannot be unilaterally imposed by one branch of government," Loudermilk said. "The Paris Agreement essentially functions as a treaty, and should have been brought to the Senate for open discussion and consideration. Instead, our former president unilaterally made the decision without lawmakers’ input or support."

In framing his opposition, Trump said that his opinion on the Paris accord came down to a simple principle: America first.

"In order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord but being negotiations to reenter either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction under terms that are fair to the United States," he said.

The United States exit was met with applause by many, but disdain by others. Italy, France and Germany said in a joint statement that, "We firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated, since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies."

Trump's decision won't take effect immediately; in fact, it won't become official until 2020, when he's up for re-election.

Georgia's 11 District includes all of Cherokee and Bartow counties and parts of Cobb and Fulton counties.

Image via U.S. Congress