Democrat's "Energy" Bill Fails to Deliver Energy or Savings
With gas prices 37% higher than when they took control of Congress, today Democrats contradicted two of their own campaign promises: to help lower energy prices in homes and at the pump, and to move America towards energy independence. This bill does nothing to help families deal with heating costs this winter, imposes billions of dollars in new energy taxes on American-made energy, and puts new barriers on American energy production.
Former Democrat Sen. John Breaux (D-LA) perhaps summed it up best when he said of the bill, "This is an energy bill without energy
America's energy crisis is the greatest domestic challenge our country is facing and, with demand continuously outpacing supply, the trend is worsening
Put simply, both (Democrat) bills ignore the supply side of the energy equation. The bills focus almost solely on efficiency and conservation
but without adequate supplies of energy, America's economic growth and way of life will suffer."
"While I support provisions in the bill to increase automobile fuel efficiency standards, promote conservation, extend energy efficiency tax credits, and enhance our development of renewable energy, those initiatives provide only marginal benefits in the near term," said Weldon. "Unfortunately, this bill is AWOL on Americans' short-term energy needs - the $22 billion in higher energy taxes will only raise short-term energy costs." The bill also does nothing to promote nuclear energy and bans new hydro-electric power from qualifying renewable energy.
In a stark departure from energy legislation approved in the last Congress by a bi-partisan majority of 200 Republicans and 75 Democrats, the bill approved by the House today (H.R. 6) considered in the House, Republicans allowed over 31 amendments to be offered, including 22 by Democrats. Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi chose a more restrictive path. Throughout the entire legislative process this year, Democrats have denied Republicans the opportunity to offer even one amendment to H.R. 6. It's no wonder this bill is destined for a veto as the new majority in Congress has chosen partisanship over partnership.