Editorial: Put John Kerry on ice

John Kerry’s hush-hush jet-setting days could finally be numbered — and that’s long overdue.

The FY24 House State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee spending bill includes a prohibition on funding for envoys not authorized by Congress or confirmed by the Senate. That would be Kerry, who has told the Herald he “only” reports to the president.

“Over the last several years, we have witnessed a boondoggle of climate change spending, and our bill provides a much-needed course correction in several key areas,” said Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla.

What we’ve also been reporting is Kerry’s abysmal record with Freedom of Information Act requests. His lack of transparency takes elitism to new heights. Now the subcommittee, along with countless others, has had enough.

If Kerry is not going to share details with taxpayers about his office staff, his budget should be frozen.

It’s basic good economics. Would you pay for any service if you didn’t receive an estimate? A progress report? A list of employees you’re paying for? Supplies? Airfare?

Kerry has been living in the clouds he’s supposed to protect with smug impunity. He’s the nation’s first special envoy for climate, yet we hardly know what he’s up to. President Biden’s buddy-buddy relationship with Kerry is hurting all of us.

The Herald has an open records request for documents surrounding Kerry’s payroll and staff. The State Department has told us not to expect that payroll until October 2024, a mere month before the next presidential election.

Republicans, particularly House Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer of Kentucky, have expressed concern about Kerry’s position, saying he has been given the opportunity to bind the U.S. to climate agreements with limited accountability.

The State Department said funding for Kerry’s office was $16.7 million annually for both fiscal 2022 and 2023.

The Biden administration said in April it intends to provide $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund to assist populations in developing countries and small island states threatened by climate change.

So why isn’t John Kerry explaining all that on a regular basis?

There’s only one answer: Kerry considers himself to be above the rest of us. It’s below his lofty status in society to answer questions.

Kerry, a former Massachusetts senator, Democratic nominee for president and secretary of State, serves taxpayers. His champagne-and-caviar clique could care less about the intricacies of his Climate post — but we do!

Freedom of the press is vital and we applaud congressman Diaz-Balart for saying enough really is enough.

The Herald has learned that Kerry’s appointment could actually run out before he said he’d share his office payroll. But the mess he will likely leave behind will still have to be cleaned up by honest public employees working hard to do the right thing.

John Kerry needs to be put on ice before it’s too late.