U.S. Senator Patty Murray denounced President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Thursday, and said reneging on global goals to combat climate change puts Washington state families’ health and safety at risk.

It also hurts the American economy, according to Washington’s senior senator.

Murray issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement that he will withdraw the United States from the international Paris Climate Agreement:

“It is truly a sad commentary that when faced with two choices — to either uphold the Paris climate deal to combat perhaps the most significant challenge of our time, or, to abdicate all responsibility and walk away — President Trump chose the latter.

“This is especially cruel as Washington state is already grappling with the harsh effects of climate change, from ocean acidification and shrinking glaciers on Mount Rainier, to more intense droughts and crop damage, and bigger, more devastating wildfires.

“Our children, and our children’s children, will remember the moment when the president of the United States of America chose the short-sighted political payoff despite scientific fact, overwhelming global support, long-term financial stability, and the will of millions of families he vowed to represent.

“To say I’m disappointed with President Trump’s decision is an understatement,” Murray said.