Comer, Jordan Request Information on Secretary John Kerry’s Role in the Biden Administration

WASHINGTON—Today, House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.) and House Committee on the Judiciary Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) sent a letter to Secretary John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, requesting all documents and communications regarding the role of his cabinet-level position and ability to unilaterally negotiate on behalf of the United States with foreign governments, especially with Communist China.

“We write to you today to request information about your position as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. Your cabinet-level position, which includes a place on the National Security Council, appears to have an outsized role within the Biden Administration. It appears that in your role, you have some ability to set foreign policy and to bind the United States to international agreements, despite not being confirmed with advice and consent of the Senate,” wrote the lawmakers.

Despite not being confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Secretary Kerry appears to be negotiating with the People’s Republic of China to commit the United States to further reducing greenhouse gas emissions without regard to economic repercussions and a reciprocal agreement from the PRC, the world’s largest polluter. The Biden Administration has already failed to provide Committee Republicans information requested on May 4, 2021 about Secretary Kerry’s security clearance and his possible disclosure of classified information to Iran, raising concerns about a pattern of avoiding Congressional oversight. 

“It is of paramount importance that we conduct oversight over your position as the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and how the position will impact the interests of the United States, especially where the role appears to intersect with the U.S. response to a hostile foreign regime such as the Chinese Communist Party. The American people deserve to understand your role in the government and what authority you have to negotiate with foreign adversaries,” concluded the lawmakers. 

Read the full letter here.