Press Release: With a New Congress on the Horizon, 18 US Lawmakers Arrive at COP31 to Signal America's Return to Sensible Climate Policy 

On the heels of consequential midterm elections, 18 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives arrive at COP31 to strengthen international partnerships and exchange solutions to shared climate, energy, and economic challenges. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, November 13, 2026 

ANTALYA, TÜRKİYE — A delegation of 18 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives led by the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Institute (SEEC Institute) has arrived in Antalya for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).  
 
“American voters just went to the polls to demand a Congress that helps families get ahead and takes climate change seriously,” said Max Frankel, Executive Director of SEEC Institute. “That’s a mandate, and our Thriving Economy Project offers a blueprint for meeting it. We’re bringing 18 Members of Congress to COP31 ready to get to work, because the challenges we face don’t stop at our borders.” 

From November 14–16, the delegation will meet with international policymakers, civil society organizations, advocates and activists, community and business leaders, and experts to strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities for renewed U.S. engagement on climate, energy, and economic policy.  

SEEC Institute arrives with a policy blueprint for action at home already in place. Released in September with chapters authored by 9 Members of Congress alongside policy experts, the  Thriving Economy Project outlines more than 800 policy recommendations grounded in the belief that a healthy economy and environment go hand in hand. At COP31, Members of Congress will build on that work. 

The delegation's programming is organized around eight issue areas: 

  • Food Security, Agricultural Innovation, and Trade 

  • Clean Electrification, Climate Finance, and Private-Sector Competitiveness 

  • Oceans, Science, and Coastal Resilience 

  • Adaptation, Disaster Resilience, and Community Preparedness 

  • Forests, Nature, and Natural-Capital Resilience 

  • Transatlantic Industrial, Trade, and Energy Policy 

  • Climate Equity, Mobility, and Community Leadership 

  • Climate, Energy, and National Security 

The delegation includes the following Members of Congress: 

  • Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) 

  • Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06) 

  • Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08) 

  • Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) 

  • Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24) 

  • Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) 

  • Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06) 

  • Rep. Maxine Dexter (OR-03) 

  • Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) 

  • Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) 

  • Rep. Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) 

  • Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) 

  • Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) 

  • Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) 

  • Rep. Dave Min (CA-47) 

  • Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06) 

  • Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) 

  • Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05) 

The visit builds on SEEC Institute's year-round international engagement, including a recent congressional delegation to Brussels and Strasbourg and discussions with UN Secretary-General António Guterres during New York Climate Week. Through these efforts, SEEC Institute connects international climate and energy developments to domestic policymaking, ensuring Members return to Washington with new relationships and firsthand insights to inform their work. 

Delegation Media Availability and Public Events 

U.S. Congressional Delegation Press Conference 
Monday, November 16, 2026, 12:00–12:30 PM local time  
America Is All In Pavilion, COP31 Blue Zone 
The press conference will be open to accredited COP31 journalists and will be livestreamed and recorded at americaisallin.com/cop31. 

Public schedule: https://www.seecinstitute.org/cop 

Journalists interested in interviewing participating Members in the Blue Zone or remotely should contact: 

Pearson Croney-Clark, Managing Director of External Affairs, SEEC Institute 
Email: pearson@seecinstitute.org; WhatsApp / Signal: +1-828-384-3275 

To speak with America Is All In and U.S. Subnational Leaders, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/radNAE232TejGCeU7  

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Media Advisory: As New Congress Takes Shape, U.S. Lawmakers Head to COP31 with Blueprint for Climate and Economic Progress