Politico Highlights SEEC Institute’s COP31 Congressional Delegation
Sara Schonhardt
10/21/2026
DC TO TURKEY: About 20 House Democrats will head to COP31 in Antalya following next month’s midterm elections.
They’ll make the planned trip with financial help from the nonprofit SEEC Institute, which is associated with the House’s Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. Their focus will be on affordability, electrification, resilience and climate security, said SEEC’s executive director, Max Frankel.
They could also hint at future plans if Democrats win control of the House. The Conservative Climate Foundation plans to bring two Republican lawmakers.
No love: Prominent climate Republican Sen. John Curtis of Utah confirmed he won’t attend, citing scheduling conflicts. Another climate-focused senator, Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, has been silent on his plans. Whitehouse, who is spearheading permitting legislation, was the only U.S. legislator to attend the talks last year due in part to a government shutdown. — Sara Schonhardt and Amelia Davidson