New Legislation to Reinstate Plastic Straws

Republican Claudia Tenney, a representative from New York, has proposed a bill in Congress aimed at solidifying former President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding straws.

This order, issued in February, put a stop to the government’s use of paper straws. It directs federal agencies to cease procurement of these products and to reassess any policies that may promote their use. Tenney’s proposal, known as the Better Straw Method, seeks to ensure that the objectives of this executive order are enforced if it gains traction in Congress and receives the President’s approval.

In a statement, Tenney remarked, “The paper straw that breaks easily is not merely an inconvenience. It symbolizes a willingness to embrace a radical climate agenda.” She went on to say that paper straws are often more costly, less functional, and can even have a larger carbon footprint than their plastic counterparts.

“The Better Straw Act aligns with President Trump’s vision of practicality by eliminating the federal mandate for paper straws, allowing consumers to make their own choices,” she added.

During the Biden administration, there were efforts to phase out single-use plastics, including straws, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, as detailed in official communications from the White House.

Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with paper straws in July, emphasizing his decision to reintroduce plastic. “I was frustrated with how poorly paper straws worked,” he shared with the press. “These are the small issues we tackled,” he commented, acknowledging that resolving such issues isn’t always straightforward. There are certainly people who hold strong beliefs on this topic.