releases: https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/vote-explanation-for-h-r-644-1a93dba9f4a6?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/vote-explanation-for-h-r-644-1a93dba9f4a6?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Vote Explanation for H.R. 644 | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Vote Explanation for H.R.644 12/18/2015 Last week the House voted to approve a bill to authorize Customs and Border Protection (CBP), H.R. 644. The bill had many positive attributes, including establishing CBP in statute for the first time and giving Customs new tools, training, and resources to ensure illicit goods arent entering our country. But the bill also prevents the U.S. from taking action to curb greenhouse gas emissions. For that reason, I opposed the bill. As the U.S. negotiates trade agreements with countries around the world, we use economic benefits to encourage potential trade partners to change their laws for the better. This can include stronger protections against child labor, reducing overfishing in our worlds oceans, and curbing human trafficking, among many others. H.R. 644, however, would prohibit the U.S. from entering into trade agreements with other countries when those agreements would require the U.S. to address climate change and reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses domestically. Coming off the heels of the United States inclusion in the Paris Climate agreement, I believe H.R. 644 sends the wrong signal on our countrys willingness to address climate change. From the perspective of El Paso, whose economy is significantly dependent on international trade, I want to support policy that enhances our ability to grow our trading opportunities in a responsible way. Barring the United States from addressing climate change in our trade agreements does not meet that test. The bill passed the House by a vote of 256158 and now must be approved by the Senate. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |