Top Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled McConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt MORE (R-Ky.), told President Trump on Thursday to abandon the Paris climate change deal negotiated by former President Obama.

In a letter to Trump, 20 Republicans said the Paris agreement would create “burdensome regulations” in pursuit of cutting climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions.

They argued environmentalists could use the Paris deal as a “legal defense” in lawsuits calling for more stringent regulations like the Clean Power Plan, a key climate rule from the Obama administration.

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They also dismissed arguments from the deal’s supporters, who say leaving Paris would hurt the U.S.’s ability to influence future climate agreements.

“We applaud you for your ongoing efforts to reduce overregulation in America,” the senators wrote in their letter to Trump, noting his use of executive orders and legislation cutting Obama-era rules.

“To continue on this path, we urge you to make a clean exit from the Paris agreement so that your administration can follow through on its commitment to rescind the Clean Power Plan.”

Sens. John Barrasso John Anthony BarrassoOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling bipartisan energy bill The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump, Biden battle over vaccine, economy; Congress returns MORE (R-Wyo.) and James Inhofe James (Jim) Mountain InhofeOvernight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Top admiral: 'No condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' When 'Buy American' and common sense collide MORE (R-Okla.), two of the senate's biggest opponents of the Paris deal, co-wrote the letter.

The White House has been debating whether the U.S. should pull out of the Paris deal, something Trump promised as a candidate.

Supporters of the deal say leaving the pact will isolate the U.S. diplomatically and economically. Hundreds of businesses have urged Trump to stay in the deal, as have some energy firms, environmentalists and Democrats.

Republicans’ Thursday message to Trump came the day after Senate Democrats sent the president a letter of their own, asking him to stay in the deal.

The White House has said Trump will decide on the future of the Paris deal after this weekend’s Group of Seven conference.