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No ‘Backdoor Kyoto Protocol’ This Year: Conservatives Torpedo the Law of the Sea Treaty

The Obama administration has been quietly working with the United Nations to ratify the infamous Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST), an international agreement that would force the U.S. to abide by foreign climate regulations, The Blaze reported in June.

If ratified, The Blaze explained, LOST would compel states to “adopt laws and regulations” to “implement applicable international rules and standards established through competent international organizations or diplomatic conference to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment from land-based sources.”

Translation: The U.S. would be forced to obey U.N. standards on air pollution and carbon emissions. In fact, as we noted in an articled titled “‘Backdoor Kyoto Protocol’: Sen. DeMint Warns of Hidden Threat to American Sovereignty,” the treaty would even allow foreign nations to sue the U.S. if it failed to adhere to LOST guidelines.

However, despite the fact that this was supposed to be the year that the age-old pact finally passed, as The Heritage Foundation’s Rob Bluey puts it, 34 conservatives senators under the leadership of Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) have rallied together to block it.

No Backdoor Kyoto Protocol This Year: Conservatives Torpedo the Law of the Sea TreatySen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)

“[Four] additional senators have joined in opposition to LOST, including Mike Johanns (R-NE), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA),” Sen. Jim DeMint, who has led the charge against the pact, proudly announced on his website. “With 34 senators against the misguided treaty, LOST will not be ratified by the Senate this year.”

Indeed, with 34 opposing senators, it is now impossible for the pact to get the 67 votes necessary for ratification.

The senators who joined DeMint in his opposition include:

1.Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
2.Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK)
3.Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
4.Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS)
5.Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)
6.Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)
7.Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
8.Sen. Jim Demint (R-SC)
9.Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)
10. Sen. John Boozman (R-AR)
11. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)
12. Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID)
13. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
14. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
15. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)
16. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
17. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY)
18. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL)
19. Sen. John Thune (R-SD)
20. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)
21. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
22. Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN)
23. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND)
24. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)
25. Sen. Mark Rubio (R-FL)
26. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS)
27. Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV)
28. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA)
29. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
30. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
31. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE)
32. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
33. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH)
34. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)

Here’s the full text of the letter Sen. DeMint sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV):

Dear Mr. Leader,

We understand that Chairman Kerry has renewed his efforts to pursue Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  We are writing to let you know that we believe this Convention reflects political, economic, and ideological assumptions which are inconsistent with American values and sovereignty.

By its current terms, the Law of the Sea Convention encompasses economic and technology interests in the deep sea, redistribution of wealth from developed to undeveloped nations, freedom of navigation in the deep sea and exclusive economic zones which may impact maritime security, and environmental regulation over virtually all sources of pollution.

To effect the treaty’s broad regime of governance, we are particularly concerned that United States sovereignty could be subjugated in many areas to a supranational government that is chartered by the United Nations under the 1982 Convention.  Further, we are troubled that compulsory dispute resolution could pertain to public and private activities including law enforcement, maritime security, business operations, and nonmilitary activities performed aboard military vessels.

The above was signed by 31 of the 34 senators. Sen. Isakson announced his opposition independently and Sens. Portman and Ayotte said in a separate letter to Sen. Reid that they don’t believe the treaty is in the U.S.’ best interest.

“Proponents of the Law of the Sea Treaty aspire to admirable goals, including codifying the U.S. Navy’s navigational rights and defining American economic interests in valuable offshore resources,” the senators wrote.

“But the treaty’s terms reach well beyond those good intentions,” they added.

These are the 13 Republicans who didn’t see it necessary to sign on against LOST:

1.Thad Cochran (R-MI)
2.Susan Collins (R-ME)
3.Scott Brown (R-MA)
4.Mark Kirk (R-IL)
5.Dick Luger (R-IN)
6.Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
7.Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
8.John McCain (R-AZ)
9.Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)
10.Bob Corker (R-TN)
11.Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
12.Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
13.Mike Enzi (R-WY)

But despite Sen. DeMint’s headcount, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) still plans to hold a vote on the treaty, the Washington Times reports.

Sen. Kerry’s office argues that headcounts taken months in advance of a proposed vote are “just a snapshot of where our politics are in this instant.”

No Backdoor Kyoto Protocol This Year: Conservatives Torpedo the Law of the Sea TreatySen. John “I Have Three Purple Hearts” Kerry (D-MA)

“No letter or whip count changes the fact that rock-ribbed Republican businesses and the military and every living Republican secretary of state say that this needs to happen, and that’s why it’s a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ for the Law of the Sea,” said Kerry spokeswoman Jodi Seth.

In fact, according to the Sen. Kerry’s office, he purposely held off voting on the treaty until after the November elections because “right now we’re in the middle of a white-hot political campaign season where ideology is running in overdrive.”

“That’s why Sen. Kerry made it clear from Day One that there wouldn’t be a vote before the election and until everyone’s had the chance to evaluate the treaty on the facts and the merits away from the politics of the moment,” Seth said.

(H/T: Hot Air)

This story has been updated.

Comments (94)

  • For my Liberty!
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:46pm

    Anyone notice that those in the GOP that did NOT sign it are pretty well known as RINO’s? Anyone see SCOTT BROWN’S name up there? Anyone REMEMBER that Ovomit-care would NOT have passed had SCOTT BROWN NOT VOTED FOR IT?? just one more that LIED about what he fully BELIEVES in to get elected. —HE NEEDS TO GO ASAP!

    Report Post » For my Liberty!  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:17am

      @LIBERTY , To be replaced by Elizabeth Warren ?

      Report Post » DEFCON4  
    • Jamea1754
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:59am

      You are aware of who is running against him? Better a moderate Republican than a left wing democrat loon.(Speak With Fork Tong Warren)

      Report Post »  
    • Diane TX
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:32am

      Scott Brown did not vote for Obama Care. What happened was, the Democrats did an end run and “deemed” it passed.

      Report Post »  
    • Armyduderetired
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:53am

      @ least you know she is the enemy. I am so disappointed with the last couple of vets pushed in with help from the Tea party. Both are Army LTC retired. Look at there voting records. You will see that they are not concerned with our Constition. Be prepared for the revolution because it’s here.

      Report Post »  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:05am

      I am actually suprised that most republican senators signed this. It used to be just a handfull of republicans in teh senate that would object to losing our sovereignty….I guess there is hope afterall

      Report Post » soybomb315_II  
    • KickinBack
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:15am

      That’ll PO Obama. I smell another executive order in the works…

      Report Post » KickinBack  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 9:01am

      FOR MY LIBERTY!, While I certainly agree with you that Scott Brown is the typical RINO, he did not vote for 0bamacare. While certain Dem Senators where vying for sweetened deals for their states holding up the eventual passing of the bill that started in the senate, Nebraska‘s Ben Nelson held it up the longest and eventually getting the super sweet deal that requires all other states to pay for Nebraska’s medicaid/medicare finances. Then the bill passed from the senate going to the house. Earlier, Kennedy had died and we all know the resulting special election that gave us Brown. Knowing that Brown was going to vote against the bill the dems pulled a trick:
      Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) would then package the Senate passed Obamacare bill and the House reconciliation measure into one measure. The House rules committee will report out a rule that will allow the Senate passed Obamacare bill to pass the House without a vote. The rule will be self-executing in the sense that the House will have been deemed to pass the Senate Obamacare bill if the House can muster the votes to pass the reconciliation measure. The House has used this procedure in the past during a debate on funding the Global War on Terror and in passing debt limit increases under the “Gephardt Rule.”
      As seen on this site.
      http://blog.heritage.org/2010/03/10/obamacare%E2%80%99s-procedural-fraud-on-the-american-people/

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • WBOB
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 9:44am

      Gee thanks Dick Lugar…..is that a going away present for us since you lost the primary?

      Report Post » WBOB  
    • JRook
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:04am

      Of course its a lot better to lose sovereignty to the WTO. Take a little bit of time, and I know this means actually reading, to learn about the state of the oceans and how we are destroying those ecosystems. You can start by the discussions of the Texas sized garbage deposits that are in the current vortexes. But hey don’t let reality get in way. We can always farm fish in gigantic salt water tanks.

      Report Post »  
    • turkey13
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:11pm

      Someone should put in a provision that before the bill is brought large countries like China have to abide first. We have some nasty ports here in the USA but just watch Chinese ship, Koren. Asian ship come into port and they all have a oil slimey drift behind them. If a US ship tries to leave and is leaking oil the EPA shuts it down.

      Report Post »  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:51pm

      Thirteen gutless wonders.

      Report Post »  
  • right
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:35pm

    My thanks to all who stood up and said “NO”!!!

    Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 8:23am

      And a special thanks to Jim Demint for rallying support to block this. Remember the R’s who were not on his side and get rid of them ASAP please.

      Report Post » justangry  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 9:05am

      I’m more than happy to say that I see both of our senators on that list.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • DIR
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:19pm

    It looks like ol John ‘Boy’ Kerry has had some face work. I wonder if he has ever had those war medals surgically removed from his rectum. Isn’t that how he got them in the first place, or was it when he ate his flight crews pizza and got the schitz.

    Report Post »  
  • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:08pm

    True or not, it’s a sad and disappointing thought that unpopular laws and/or treatys have to wait until so called Representatives jobs are secured before voting on them, however, it is also inspiring to have a supposed Representative of the people to unknowingly admit that they represent special interests and not the people who elected them. Self identified corrupt Senator Kerry.

    Report Post »  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:04pm

    Lets make a list of senators that did not vote for this….All democrats, John McCain, Lindsey Graham.
    Who else???

    Add the names below – i guess we gotta do the dirty work around here…

    Report Post » soybomb315_II  
    • For my Liberty!
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:47pm

      Guess ya missed this….

      These are the 13 Republicans who didn’t see it necessary to sign on against the LOST treaty:

      Thad Cochran (R-MI)
      Susan Collins (R-ME)
      Scott Brown (R-MA)
      Mark Kirk (R-IL)
      Dick Luger (R-IN)
      Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
      Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
      John McCain (R-AZ)
      Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)
      Bob Corker (R-TN)
      Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
      Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
      Mike Enzi (R-WY)

      Report Post » For my Liberty!  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:01am

      oops, didnt see that until just now. How can a senator from texas not sign on to this thing???

      Report Post » soybomb315_II  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 9:04am

      SOYBOMB315_II, It’s Kay Bailey Hutchison, what else can we expect from her. One of these days Texas will wake up and see her for what she truly is.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • 73chevy
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:58pm

    Kerry why don’t we just roll over already open the borders completely and let anyone and everyone take us over, it would be grand you little scheming liberal

    Report Post »  
  • MDECKER
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:51pm

    It is absolutely clear as crystal, the Democrats in both houses, are ALL in with this traitorous administration. The Liberal agenda funnels all the way down to the States level as well. Just wait until the Executive Orders and Pardons begin to fly at years end. Romney will have to purge the entire Government, of the virus that has been planted deep within it’s soul, if we are to succeed as a Nation. Anyone that even murmurs the word bipartisan or suggests, “reaching across party lines”, should be slapped.

    Report Post »  
    • Winedude
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:22am

      It may come as a surprise to you that bipartisanship USED TO BE THE NORM. Are things better without the cooperation? I don’t think so but the partisans on both sides may think other wise.

      Report Post »  
  • timej31
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:51pm

    Got to make it illegal to pass working in anything that isn’t spelled out in its title of intent.

    Report Post » timej31  
  • shorthanded12
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:45pm

    Wheres that RINO Scott Brown, Lindsey Grahm and John McCain on the list???????

    John “The Mask” Kerry what a utter joke, another American Traitor. Remember the movie with Cher and in the movie her son had the face deformity thats why I call Kerry the Mask.

    Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:19pm

      I have thought that also for years. What does he have in compensation for an ugly mug?

      Sparkling conversation, $, intelligence, party affiliation, .. . ?

      Report Post »  
  • TRILO
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:41pm

    There are 47 Republican senators and only 34 voted this down. That means there are 13 who were in favor of the treaty. THESE PEOPLE NEED TO GO! As usual McCain was not on the list. It is so comforting that he supports Romney. Why the people of Arizona voted to keep this progressive nut job in the Senate is beyond me. Just goes to show how easily the American sheeple can be misled.

    Report Post » TRILO  
  • dmerwin
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:41pm

    Alaskans!
    I do not see Murkowski’s name on this list. She is drifting to the left AGAIN!. We need a responsible electable conservative and have 4 years to find one. There is NO excuse for not running a primary opponent. She needs to retire. Do not forget that her dad, as governor, (very short term) appointed her after publishing a list of 30+ prospective appointees, in which her name was not mentioned. This senator is the most nepotic politician in our country. We need to take action to send her off to retirement with Frank. … over the bridge to nowhere.

    Report Post » dmerwin  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:05pm

      What do you mean “drifting to the left again” ? She was always to the left. How did Alaskans write her in? Joe Miller was (is) the real deal. STUPID!!!!

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • StLAlaska
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:12am

      Amen Brother! I was all in behind Joe, but alas the guys head inflated before he actually won…still pi$$es me off! Now we get muckowski leading the important debates like naming mountains..what a joke..

      Report Post »  
  • team1blazer
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:39pm

    If “unfit for command” Kerry is for it, that’s good enough for me….I’m against it!

    Report Post » team1blazer  
    • Wolfgang the Gray
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:52pm

      Exactly! If that horse-faced-ketchup-licker is for something, that is sound grounds for me to be against it.

      Sad to see that not one Democrat would side with our country and against the UN control of this poor treaty.

      Report Post » Wolfgang the Gray  
    • scout n ambush
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:22am

      It was Kerry’s tomatoes being thrown at Monica er I mean Hillary in Egypt (where Heinz grows their tomatoes) that was funny stuff .

      Report Post » scout n ambush  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:36pm

    Look at that….No Virginia senators signed on to this thing despite Virginia still being a heavily independent state. Our state senate is very right leaning…If there were no 17th ammendment i guarantee you there would be two more names added to that list

    Report Post » soybomb315_II  
  • blazingaway
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:31pm

    Kerry is nothing but a Benedict Arnold who should limit himself to wind surfing.
    The people who elect him to office a compete and total idiots

    Report Post » blazingaway  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:34pm

      Agreed, and the fact is Senator Kerry has already stipulated that come what may of this vote, once the elections are done he will push for the passage of the treaty in the lame duck session.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • freedom_gurl35
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:44am

      @snowleopard – That’s because Kerry could only get that passed through a lame-duck session, assuming it would pass.

      Report Post » freedom_gurl35  
  • GUNSABLAZIN23
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:29pm

    Its just amazing how, they want the one country, that supports the rest of the world, to become a craphole like the rest! Stop with this nonsense already you democraps and start working on keeping AMERICA great. The job (even though you should lose it)save could be your own!

    Report Post » GUNSABLAZIN23  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:16pm

      My understanding for the underwater mining part of the Sea Treaty (in an earlier incarnation) is:

      -A percentage of profits go to the UN to assist underdeveloped countries.
      -You prospect 2 sites & the UN chooses on of the two sites to develop.
      -Later if it wants the other site it can have it as well.
      -All technology for said mining must be shared.

      They keep bring it up for a vote of the last 4 decades.

      In that time has you trust in the UN increased or decreased.

      If it has increased, you are brain dead & a liberal.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:25pm

      So after reading the below what do you think of the Democrats now?

      The exact nature of the ISA’s mission and authority has been questioned by opponents of the Law of the Sea Treaty who are generally skeptical of multilateral engagement by the United States.[20] The United States is the only major maritime power that has not ratified the Convention (see United States non-ratification of the UNCLOS), with one of the main anti-ratification arguments being a charge that the ISA is flawed or unnecessary. In its original form, the Convention included certain provisions that some found objectionable, such as:

      Imposition of permit requirements, fees and taxation on seabed mining; ban on mining absent ISA permission
      Use of collected money for wealth redistribution in addition to ISA administration
      Mandatory technology transfer

      Because of these concerns, the United States pushed for modification of the Convention, obtaining a 1994 Agreement on Implementation that somewhat mitigates them …

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Seabed_Authority#Controversy

      Report Post »  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:25am

      @ Walkabout

      I was getting ready to write something similar, but you have hit the nail squarely on the head.

      I can add nothing except to say “excellent comment!”

      Report Post »  
  • SteamedinMichigan
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:28pm

    Our way of living and our finances should only be able to be affected by those we have ELECTED. The UN means NOTHING to me – I have no say, no vote, no real representation there. I think they are a worthless pack of greedy, selfish politicians who see America as their ultimate ATM machine. I would support a decision for the US to withdraw from the UN.

    STOP IT!

    What the hell is our government thinking? Stop selling out the people of the USA….Grow a spine and stand up for what is in OUR interest. If you want to give away money (redistribute wealth) – use your OWN funds!

    And keep your grubby hands off our weapons next

    Report Post » SteamedinMichigan  
  • ALL4FREEDOM
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:27pm

    This year’s lame duck session will be epic if (when) Obummer loses the election. LOST is only one of several treaties (Small Arms being another) the Lefties will try to ram through. Since they undermine the Constitution and national sovereignty, they, by definition are treasonous acts, and any Senator that openly supports them should be reminded of it. I am ashamed to admit John Kerry is my Senator, and abashed that Scott Brown’s name did not appear on the letter. I expected better of him.

    Report Post »  
    • freedom_gurl35
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 7:45am

      At the end of the day, Scott Brown isn’t a true conservative…not based on what I’ve seen of his voting record.

      Report Post » freedom_gurl35  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:24pm

    i pray we can continue to hold off these left wing anti America,freedom hating liberals who want nothing more than to have this great country under one world order, if they ever let the u n to have control of this country, we are screwed

    Report Post »  
  • Plan B
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:24pm

    We must remain vigilant. All it takes is the perfect storm like we had the first two years of this presidents rein to have our soverighnty attacked by these UN worms.

    Report Post »  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:21pm

    There may be hope for Washington yet. All we have to do is get rid of Barry.

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:29pm

      Hello – those of you with R Senators need to be asking yourselves – why did my senator not join Sen DeMint? Tennessee??? Zach P is running against Corker. Alexander isn’t up for re-election until 2014 – need I say more.

      If it walks like a marxist, and quacks like a marxist…….

      Mr. Corker – you were warned at a meeting at Belmont Univ in Nashville – I wasn’t kidding about the amputation at the ballot box

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
  • Banter
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:20pm

    When Senator Demint retires, a good man and protector of the Constitution will be lost.

    Kerry is just a loser.

    Report Post » Banter  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:19pm

    Why the long face John Kerry??

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
  • ccprotect
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:18pm

    Agenda 21, LOST. if it is not the middle east terrorists trying to destroy us it’s the UN. and we reduced our nuke stock pile…what, we didnt think we needed them.

    Report Post » ccprotect  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:33pm

      and to think obama and george soros want some 3rd world terrorist country to tell Americans what is right and wrong and to tell us how to live and what to do, since obama did not get his way,he will just executive order the u n control of America and then he will have paid george soros in full,remember obama said no one in business ever built it by them selves, so i guess george soros needed obama to get his agenda 21 rammed through.

      Report Post »  
  • krjones
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:13pm

    Jim Demint for prez!

    Report Post »  
  • hidden_lion
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:11pm

    Any senator that attempts to hand over sovereignty to the UN or any other organization is a traitor and and should be hung.

    Report Post » hidden_lion  

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