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On Friday, as a government shutdown looms amid a budget battle in Congress, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spoke to reporters about the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest conservation. The outgoing Biden administration has committed $1 billion in incentives aimed at curbing climate change without “burdening countries facing financial constraints.”

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Yes, the Press Secretary really said that—while a debt ceiling and funding debate rages in Washington.

Jean-Pierre said:

Earlier this week as you all saw the US International Development Finance Corporation announced a $1 billion financial initiative to support conservation of the Ecuadorian Amazon. This is a result of the President’s recent trip to the Amazon and a continuation of the administration’s effort to support innovative ways to address climate change through sustainable growth and development without burdening countries facing financial constraints.

The announcement follows President Joe Biden’s recent trip to the Amazon and comes as the lame-duck administration embarks on a flurry of new climate change initiatives. On Thursday, President Biden announced an updated climate goal, increasing America’s target for greenhouse gas emission reductions. At the start of his term, Biden set an interim Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goal to reduce emissions by 50-52 percent by 2030. As his presidency nears its end, Biden has increased the target, aiming for a 61-66 percent reduction by 2035.

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In the announcement, Biden said:

I’m proud that my Administration is carrying out the boldest climate agenda in American history.

This Amazonian effort is just the most recent unveiling of Biden’s “America Last” policies. As RedState reported earlier this month, Biden pledged to give Africa another billion dollars to deal with disasters, including “food insecurity,” and spoke about how he has given $3 billion to Angola’s energy sector, saying the “future of the world is in Africa.” 

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Meanwhile, in Western North Carolina, victims of Hurricane Helene are experiencing a frustratingly slow and inefficient recovery at the hands of FEMA. Many residents feel neglected as they continue to struggle without adequate support. Other failed disaster responses also mar Biden’s tenure, including last year’s hazardous chemical spill caused by a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, as well as the devastating Maui fires. In each case, delayed federal aid, poor coordination, and a lack of timely and adequate responses left affected communities feeling abandoned.

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At the same time, Biden focuses on creating a last-minute climate change champion legacy in the Amazon rainforest instead of addressing urgent domestic issues impacting Americans. As U.S. voters watch their tax dollars being spent overseas—on foreign conflicts and climate initiatives—they await the inauguration of President-elect Trump and a shift to an “America First” approach that prioritizes the nation’s needs over international concerns and costly climate boondoggles.