Souder Supports "All Of The Above" Plan To Achieve Energy Independence
Opposes Democrats National Energy Tax
U.S. Rep. Mark Souder voted today against House passage of H.R. 2454, the Democrat's national energy tax bill. Despite Souder's objection, the legislation passed the House by a majority of 219-212.
"This bill would, during an economic recession, impose a restrictive tax on our local manufacturing employersproducers of steel, auto parts, trucks, RVs, and boatsthat require significant energy sources," Souder said. "It might as well have been named the cap-and-trade-our-jobs-to-China' bill."
"Unfortunately, individual consumers will also feel the impact of this legislation," Souder added. "As utility companies strain to meet these new requirements, they will have to charge more for their services and will pass the cost onto Hoosier families."
A supporter of alternative energy sources who has consistently advocated for increased use of wind, solar, and geothermal, Souder is supporting legislation (American Energy Act) that would: (1) increase our domestic supply of energy by lifting restrictions on ANWR, the Outer Continental Shelf, and oil shale in the Mountain West; (2) set a goal of ordering 100 new nuclear reactors over the next twenty years; and (3) encourage conservation through proven tax incentives.
Souder offered several amendments to the national energy tax bill, including two amendments that would exclude from the cap and tax regulations any business located in a county where the percentage of unemployment for three straight months is at or above 10 percent or where manufacturing jobs account for 25 percent or more of the total workforce. Unfortunately, the Democrat-controlled rules committee did not accept any of the Souder amendments.
H.R. 2454 will now be sent to the Senate for further review.