Republicans make second bid to weaken Obama's hand at Paris climate talks

White House regards moves to oppose the US deal and block $3bn in climate aid for developing countries as empty threats

Republicans moved for the second time in 24 hours on Wednesday to try to weaken Barack Obama's position at the Paris climate negotiations, opposing a deal at the summit and threatening to block $3bn in aid pledged to developing countries.

The gesture, less than two weeks before nearly 200 countries gather in Paris to try to reach a deal to stop climate change, was intended to cast doubt about Obama's ability to deliver on his agenda.