Barrasso Blasts Administration Decision to Spend $1 Billion on Foreign Forests

Press Release

Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) released the following statement in response to the Obama Administration's announcement from Copenhagen today that the United States will provide $1 billion in funding over the next three years for forestry in foreign countries:

"With 10 percent unemployment and a $1.4 trillion dollar deficit, it's already outrageous that the Obama Administration is working on a binding international climate change agreement that will kill more American jobs and decrease our economic growth. But today's announcement just adds more fuel to the fire. The decision to spend over $1 billion on trees in foreign countries is another clear example of the Administration's misplaced priorities. If the Obama Administration believes it has $1 billion to spare, why is it choosing to spend this money on forests in other countries instead of resolving problems at home? Instead, we should take steps to effectively address the active forest health threats like the Bark Beetle that create emergency situations in Wyoming and all across the West. This is a beyond irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars and a breach of trust with our forest communities in Wyoming," Barrasso said.

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