What is so wrong about saying, "We know climate change exists, we acknowledge that humans are causing climate change, we understand the science behind it, but we believe it's better for the American economy if we don't pursue any legislation that may slow the negative human impact on climate, and we believe the American economy should be prioritized by Americans over the fate of the world at this time, since the ramifications of climate change will not significantly harm the American people for another 2-3 generations."
That would be shitty in a different way, but much less shitty than Republicans claiming ignorance or simply being ignorant as an entire party.