Transcript of Pelosi Remarks at Press Conference with Congressional Delegation to COP27

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Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined the U.S. Congressional delegation to COP27 for a press conference. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Good afternoon, everyone. And it is a good afternoon. We're all here gathered to be good stewards of God's creation, to protect our planet for future generations and for the present, to do so in a way that brings equity, inclusiveness, diversity to creating our solutions and to do so in a way that is safe, safe and secure for the globe and for the world.

We are very honored to be here with such – I am very honored to be here with such a distinguished delegation. You will hear from some of the Chairs of our Committee, and we will acknowledge them at that time, but I also want to recognize other Members of our delegation. Members who have served on the Select Committee on addressing the climate crisis and other leadership roles on climate over the years, and sustainability. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici of the State of Oregon, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar of the State of Texas, Congressman Jared Huffman of California, [Congressman] Espaillat of New York, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of Maine, Congressman of Oregon, again, Oregon, Earl Blumenauer, Congressman Sean Casten of Illinois, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán of California. Again, the Members will introduce and you'll hear from them – they're Chairs of our Committee. People who have worked hard and long and taken the lead on these issues.

It is a special joy for us to come at this time, because the Congress of the United States a couple months ago passed legislation that was so historic in terms of its vision, in terms of its – the amount of money committed, and in terms of the hope that it has given people since we came here. The IRA, the Inflation Reduction Act, has been the source of much positive conversation. We've spoken to people at the grassroots level. We've talked to the president, the foreign minister. We've spoken to leaders from around the world, parliamentarians from around the world. And there was a recognition that the Inflation Reduction Act has made a significant difference and will make a significant difference.

When we have spoken about climate, we've talked about health care. This legislation is about that: health care in a way that is just and fair. We've talked about green, good-paying jobs in a way that is just and fair and inclusive. And we talked about national security, excuse me, we talked about security in a way that we improve the situation to prevent vast migrations, competition and conflict over habitat and resources. And we talked about our values. If you believe, as I, that this is God's creation, and we have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of it, then we agree. And even if you don't share that religious view, we all know we have a moral responsibility to our children.

So I'll close by just saying this: as we have discussed these issues for decades, many of us, it's always been about survival of the planet, survival of the vulnerable countries and the rest. We want more than survival, we want more than success. With our IRA legislation, we have crossed the threshold of transformation. We want it to be transformative in the lives of the American people as we use that technology that will come from that but also share that with the rest of the world. We know there's much more that needs to be done. But what we accomplished with the Inflation Reduction Act was something that has never been done before in our country, or any other country.

So I salute our President, because it was part of his agenda: addressing the climate crisis, and about justice and fairness, and inclusiveness and diversity in how we go forward, contained in our Rescue Package that we passed, contained in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill – $60 billion for diversity and equity, inclusiveness. It was in the CHIPS Act in terms of research and science and STEM education for everyone – diversity, again, inclusion, equity, fairness. In all the legislation that we passed, even our veterans bill – which, this is Veterans Day, so I want to particularly acknowledge that which ended the burn pits cross that our soldiers were bearing.

So in every way, the President has said, when we do this, we want to do it right. And to do it right, we have to listen to those who are affected the most, whether it's the vulnerable nations or the vulnerable people in our own community. So I salute the President, and I also want to salute Kathy Castor. Kathy Castor is the Chair of the Select Committee addressing the climate crisis. The report that her Committee – and many of the Committee Members are here – the report that they put forth was historic, and it was the basis for the Inflation Reduction Act. I yield to Kathy Castor.

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In closing, I just want to thank the Government of Egypt – the president, the foreign minister – for hosting COP27, doing so with a theme of Africa as well, because we learn so much from this continent about where we go from here. We want to be able to, again, as Congresswoman, Madam Chair said earlier, think in terms of the multilateral development banks and Mr. Neal talking about the private sector taking a piece of – so that we can, whatever resources we can – they would be leveraged to a much greater amount so that we can help these countries and so that they don't have to use their money and have an opportunity cost for food and education and the rest for their children.

We listen very carefully to the vulnerable nations and their members of parliament about how we can work together as we go forward. One thing you have to know is that we have left incrementalism in the dust. This is about transformation. We hope that this COP27 will be the threshold that we all cross to remove all doubt that we are, as a world, serious about saving the planet For The Children, and to doing so that listens to those affected most, brings the most diversity and the most justice, environmental justice, economic justice, social justice, to the issues that we – as we address the climate crisis. Do we have time for one question? One question. Who's going to, who's going to recognize? That's a level of politics I don't get involved in.

[Laughter]

Okay, did you decide who is – yes, sir? Okay, right there. He has proximity so there we are.

Q. What is the future relation of America and Egypt? What is the future – American and Egyptian future?

Speaker Pelosi. Well, in terms of saving the planet, it's a very close one. That's what we're here to do. But our relationship is 100 years old. And it is one that is strong in areas of security, in areas of economy, we have a close relationship with Egypt. And again, the – Jimmy Carter, I just heard from him the other day, and I remember the Camp David Accords, which are very important to the security in the region. So we have a good relationship with Egypt, yes. And we had a good visit with the president. We are friends, and friends can be very candid with each other, and we have been.

That's just it? One more from a woman? From a woman? I just like hearing from – they have something else happening, but we'll walk out together. There's another press conference coming in. Thank you all very much.

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