Dems blame GOP for blocking trip to Paris climate talks

By Susan Ferrechio, Susan Ferrechio

Published December 20, 2015

House Democrats on Thursday suggested Republican leaders purposely altered the legislative schedule to prevent eight Democratic lawmakers from attending the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the group was scheduled to fly out tonight but had to cancel because House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., called for votes on Friday.

"Whether wittingly or unwittingly, it certainly was not a priority to them," Pelosi said of the Republicans. "The two votes we are taking tomorrow could easily be taken today. So it's unfortunate."

The House is scheduled to vote Friday on a five-day extension of government funding. Current funding runs out Friday at midnight, and a partial government shutdown would happen without congressional action.