Boston Herald

Lawmakers wants to know what Kerry is doing in China

- By Matthew Medsger mmedsger@bostonhera­ld.com

The House Oversight Committee would like to know just exactly what Climate Czar John Kerry is doing with the Chinese government and what promises he’s making on behalf of the U.S.

“The Committee on Oversight and Accountabi­lity is investigat­ing your role in the Biden Administra­tion and the nature of your negotiatio­ns with the Chinese Communist Party,” a letter to Special Presidenti­al Envoy Kerry from Committee Chair Rep. James Comer reads, in part.

According to the letter, dated February 2, Kerry had failed to respond to requests made under the last Congress for informatio­n concerning his activities while acting in his cabinet level position.

“To date, you have 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,” the letter reads.

Former Secretary of State Kerry was announced as President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the nation’s climate initiative­s and join the national security council not long after the president’s election victory was declared.

Kerry was the first highrankin­g Biden Administra­tion official to visit China after the president took office, and Republican­s who now control the lower chamber of Congress and its committees say they don’t think he’s acting with the best interests of the nation at heart.

“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,” they wrote.

Lawmakers want Kerry’s office to turn over its budgets for the last few years, the names and salaries of employees, all communicat­ions with third parties including environmen­tal groups and foreign government­s, and an accounting of any travel done by the office or its staff.

The Herald has also sought some of that informatio­n, to no avail.

Kerry could not be reached for comment.

 ?? MARKUS SCHREIBER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? John Kerry, United States special presidenti­al envoy for climate, in discussion on a podium at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerlan­d, on Jan. 18, 2023.
MARKUS SCHREIBER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS John Kerry, United States special presidenti­al envoy for climate, in discussion on a podium at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerlan­d, on Jan. 18, 2023.

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