House Oversight Committee seeks answers from John Kerry about China negotiations
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry has long faced questions from Republicans concerning his foreign policy endeavors.
Those questions grew louder this week as House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer demanded to know more about the former failed presidential candidate's negotiations with China.
Comer says Kerry has refused to supply the requested documents
According to Fox News, Comer sent Kerry a letter on Thursday in which complained that the special presidential envoy has "failed to respond to any of our requests."
"Yet, you continue to engage in activities that could undermine our economic health, skirt congressional authority, and threaten foreign policy under the guise of climate advocacy," Comer continued.
The chairman went on to say that his committee "requests documents and information to understand your role and provide necessary transparency over the SPEC and its activities," he continued.
"As a member of the President’s cabinet, you should be representing the United States’ interests. Your statements, however, consistently show disregard for American national security and taxpayer dollars," Comer said.
"We are left with an insufficient understanding of your office’s activities, spending, and staffing," Comer remarked as he drew to a close.
Kerry says Chinese use of slave labor to build solar panels not his "lane"
Fox News noted that Kerry is the first person to serve as special presidential envoy for climate. His office has a $13.9 million budget and 45 personnel.
The network also reported in November of 2021 that Kerry was criticized after he refused to criticize China after being asked about that country's use of slave labor to build solar panels.
"Well, we’re honest about the differences," Kerry told reporters at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, adding, "We certainly know what they are, and we’ve articulated them, but that’s not my lane here…"
Instead of being preoccupied with human rights, Kerry said that his "job is to be the climate guy and stay focused on trying to move the climate agenda forward."
Kerry was appointed to cabinet-level position without Senate approval
Also in 2021, Comer pointed out during an interview with One America News that by appointing Kerry, President Joe Biden had created a cabinet post without consultation with the Senate.
John Kerry is negotiating with America's adversaries in a Cabinet-level position WITHOUT Senate confirmation.
Where does Kerry's authority come from? @OANN pic.twitter.com/7aUvGvPPfl
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) June 17, 2021
"I think people in both parties have a lot of questions for John Kerry, especially dating back to the Iran nuclear deal and going back even further to the point that John Kerry was apparently giving secrets to Iran," Comer said.
