Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO ) and Senate Republicans on Friday demanded answers about a proposed Biden administration environment, social, and governance ( ESG) rule for government contractors, Breitbart News has learned exclusively.
Schmitt and Sens. John Thune (R-SD ), Dan Sullivan (R-SD ), Marco Rubio (R-FL ), Tom Cotton (R-AR ), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Katie Britt (R-AL ), Rick Scott (R-FL ), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL ) sent a letter to Department of Defense ( DOD ) Secretary Lloyd Austin, General Services Administration ( GSA ) Administrator Robin Carnahan, and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, demanding answers about a proposed ESG rule that would negatively impact contractors with the DOD, GSA, and NASA.
Sen. Eric Schmitt: Contractor Rule Letter to GSA, NASA, and Army by Breitbart News on Scribd
Federal contractors and suppliers will be required to report their greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions, risk financial risks, and set “science-based ” emissions reduction targets in the proposed rule, according to the senators.
ESG is the latest vectors through which the government, large corporations, and Liberals push leftist policies — such as anti-climate shift plans, variety demands, and anti-racist plans.
Schmitt and the Republicans in the Senate wrote:
The Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule (“Contractor Climate Rule” ) would be a disaster that would seriously detract your organizations from important tasks like protecting our country from foreign enemies and exploring our planet. Simply put, this Administration does not rely on purchasing policy to accomplish its dramatic environmental justice objectives.
The Senate Republicans continued:
As you explained in your proposed rule, the Federal Government, being the world’s single largest seller of goods and services, has the ability to “shift industry, push technology, and be a motivator for adoption of new standards and global requirements ” 17 Public purchasing goals may enable the government to obtain high-quality products quickly and affordably. Your companies should concentrate on shooting missiles and stars rather than being distracted by administrative rules and regulations.
The Senate Republicans demanded that the DOD, GSA, and NASA answer the following questions:
- Did Defense conduct any evaluation or studies to determine whether the contractor climate rule may have a significant impact on the ability of our defense-industrial base to grow substantially in the event of a war?
- Has Army taken into account any potential to waive these burdensome requirements imposed by this rule in a time of conflict?
- Did NASA do any research or analysis to determine whether this rule would add more time to the Artemis objective?
- Has one of your organizations determined how many companies will be unable to take on upcoming contracting opportunities as a result of this law? If no, why has your company certainly conducted for research?
- Given recent legislative restrictions, do any of your organizations still assert that this law is still valid?
The Biden presidency has long been accused of using the national procurement method to implement “massive, cultural changes, ” according to the Senate Republicans.
We’ve long been concerned that this Administration uses national procurement laws to stifle significant, cultural shifts without authorization. Due to legal difficulties and the threat of billions in national contracts, this Administration’s immoral efforts to impose mandatory COVID-19 vaccine on federal contractors were justified. We do n’t want to sit idly by as this Administration, who is once more attempting to advance a radical agenda through procurement, directly harming our defense and space industries.
They warned that if they do not implement the rule, Senate Republicans will attempt to revoke it using the Congressional Review Act ( CRA ) to do so.
The Senate Republicans reaffirmed their position, saying that if your organizations continue to implement this Contractor Climate Rule, Congress may have no choice but to pass a resolution of condemnation under the Congressional Review Act and take into account alternative congressional options to stop this extreme ESG plan.
Note: This account has been updated to reflect Sen. Jon Ernst (R-IA ) retracting her name from the letter.
For Breitbart News, Sean Moran is a plan writer. Following him on Twitter @SeanMoran3.
