Washington - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs, and International Environmental Protection, released the following statement upon the announcement of an initial agreement at the international climate change talks in Copenhagen:

"President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and the entire U.S. delegation deserve a great deal of credit for bringing negotiations in Copenhagen back from the brink of collapse. This is a core agreement of core policies among some of the core major emitters. While many details of this deal still must be further developed and advanced, it represents progress toward an international treaty to comprehensively and effectively combat climate change. The stakes for every person in every country around the globe are incredibly high. This issue is about nothing less that the future of our planet. Additionally, at a time when we need an economic boost, it represents an opportunity for domestic job creation and increased global competitiveness for our country. I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues in the Senate to put together domestic climate legislation that builds upon this first step and firmly establishes the United States as a global climate leader."

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