i am congressman sean kasten from illinois. i am proud to travel to madrid, spain for the 25th united nations climate change conference and we will be there to represent united states conference and to -- congress and to send a clear message that we understand the existential threat of the climate crisis. the climate crisis is the greatest test we have ever faced. it is also an opportunity. atmospheric carbon dow say that carbon dioxide pollution is already well above the 350 part per million level that was understood to be the cap we had to stay under. several feet of sea level rise are already guaranteed. and several tipping points have already been passed. in the final analysis, we will be judged not by our colleagues or our voters, but by our grandchildren. we owe them a climate that is as stable as the one we inherited from those who came before us. that will require massive coordinated international action. and that is our test. but the climate crisis is also an opportunity. it is an opportunity because the biggest source of carbon pollution is burning fossil fuel , which cost money. lowering carbon pollution saves money. everysolar panel, electric vehicle, every reinsulate at home represents a financial investment that also provides a more stable climate for our children. as amery lovins says, people do not want coal or oil but warm showers and cold beer. -- amory lovins. every time we make these investments we make ourselves wealthier. that is our environment -- that is our opportunity. theunited states ratified mitral protocol using market mechanisms to reduce those under string compounds. that was the direct result of leadership. leadership from the reagan and bush administrations, it should be noted. that idea was subsequently incorporated into the 1990 minutes to the clean air act to lower acid rain forming compounds. in both cases, we proved economic and environmental policy can work in harmony. unfortunately, the united states has failed to bring that leadership in recent years to greenhouse gas emissions. even worse, we have walked away from international agreements that would do so. while house democrats joined together to pass hr nine, the climate action and now act, sending a clear message that just like the thousands of localities, cities and u.s. companies, we are still in on the paris agreement. senate republicans and the president have met this historic effort with inaction and resounding silence. that is not leadership. it is cowardice. it is also dangerous. half of all the carbon pollution we have ever invented as a species has been released since 1988. since the year we signed the mitral protocol. since the or bruce springsteen played chimes of freedom in front of a still standing berlin wall. since the year james hansen testified to the u.s. senate that global warming was in fact already well underway. the greatness of the united states, and our greatest gift to the world, is our leadership. we are not perfect. but since world war two, there has been no greater advocate for equality. for the rule of law. and for international peace. then the united states. we have the ability and the moral obligation to lead in this moment as well. the times have found us and we will not shirk response abilities. that will be our message to our allies in madrid. that is our charge moving forward. house democrats will continue leading for the people. to lower health costs and prescription drug prices. to raise wages by rebuilding the infrastructure of america and agreeing, resilient, trans form it up way. and to clean up corruption and make washington work for you. patriotism,m, with but with a fierce and unbending commitment to the urgency we face, we well laid. -- we will lead. >> the house will be in order. years, c-span has been providing america unfiltered coverage of congress, the white house, the spring course and public policy events from washington, d.c. at around the country, so you can make up your own mind. 1979, c-spanle in is brought to you by your local cable or satellite provider. c-span, your unfiltered view of government. ♪ next, the: communicators. >> this week on the communicators, we want to introduce you to a new guest. his name is bob udell. he is the ceo of consolidated communications. joining us is a guest reporter.

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