Hoeven, McCarthy, Republican Leaders Launch the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act of 2012

Press Release

Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and a group of U.S. Senate and House leaders, including Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), today launched a Senate version of the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act of 2012 (DEJA), a comprehensive package of energy legislation that will not only reduce the high energy costs faced by hard-working families and small businesses, but also spur badly-needed economic growth and job creation across the U.S. economy. A similar measure was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives last month. Hoeven is now introducing the legislation with additional features in the Senate.

DEJA is a wide-ranging package of 13 diverse energy bills, addressing both traditional and renewable development, designed to streamline and simplify regulations, boost domestic energy supplies, build American energy infrastructure and safeguard America's supply of critical minerals used in modern high-tech manufactured products such as cell phones and computers.

Hoeven and McCarthy say the bicameral initiative embraces a true all-of-the-above approach to energy development that will help drive America's overall economic recovery and enhance the nation's energy security.

"Like my home state of North Dakota, our nation is blessed with an abundance of energy resources and the entrepreneurial talent to develop them for the benefit of our entire country," Hoeven said. "The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act will take the same kind of comprehensive, step-by-step approach we've used in North Dakota to develop our nation's vast energy resources in order to create jobs, lift up our economy and make our nation safer and more secure by boosting America's energy security."

"Our domestic energy resources are vital to my home state of Kentucky as well as the nation at large. Unfortunately, this administration and congressional Democrats have repeatedly taken steps to restrict and inhibit American energy production. This bill, however, represents a comprehensive, commonsense path forward," said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

"This country's energy resources have the power to revive an anemic economy that has been consumed by unemployment over 8% for forty-one consecutive months," said Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), House Majority Whip and a leader of the House Energy Task Force. "Although Washington Democrats refuse to acknowledge the facts that energy development is a job creator, several states have embraced the technological innovation that allows energy to be responsibly developed -- thus creating tens of thousands of jobs and igniting a manufacturing renaissance. Our country is in desperate need of jobs, we can no longer ignore our abundant energy resources. If we do, we risk our global competitors passing us by."

"The House has passed numerous bills to increase access to our American energy resources and create jobs -- including a bipartisan vote yesterday to reject and replace the President's proposed offshore drilling plan," said Congressman Doc Hastings, Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee and Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. "I'm pleased the Senate is introducing legislation to accomplish many of the same goals and urge Senate leaders to take immediate action on these job-creating energy bills."

"Our nation needs a truly comprehensive, market-based approach to developing our vast and varied natural resources. Sen. Hoeven's Domestic Energy and Jobs Act provides real leadership on the Keystone XL pipeline and fits well with our ongoing efforts to advance critical minerals, offshore development and revenue sharing." Sen. Lisa Murkowski, ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

"President Obama continues to block access to reliable and affordable sources of North American energy," said Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. "Not only are the president's policies driving up energy costs, but they are destroying jobs. The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act would approve the Keystone XL pipeline and jumpstart energy production from federal offshore and onshore areas. This bill will lead to more jobs and a more secure energy future for our country."

"Our nation's energy policy has turned into a slow-paced bureaucratic mess -- largely due to the lack of leadership in the administration," Sen. David Vitter said. "I've always said that an all of the above approach is the best way to solve our energy needs and create good paying jobs. Our bill accomplishes that and also puts our much-needed offshore energy resources to use."

"As Chairman of the Senate Western Caucus, I know how important this bill is for job creation and American energy production," said Sen. John Barrasso. "It takes responsible steps to streamline the leasing and permitting process for oil and natural gas production and stops the Administration's attack on coal workers across America. As the White House likes to say, we can't wait any longer on this legislation to be passed by Congress and signed into law."

"We must pursue a visionary energy policy that protects us from global incidents, meets growing demands, and keeps prices affordable," said Rep. Fred Upton, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "The House has already passed a number of common-sense energy bills this Congress, and I welcome this effort in the Senate to help cut the red tape that is blocking access to American-made energy and jobs. Increased domestic energy production and approval of the Keystone XL pipeline are important steps we can take today that will help create jobs, stabilize energy prices, and put us on a path toward energy independence."

"The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act is a critical piece of legislation that the House has passed to get our economy back on track," said Rep. Rick Berg. "I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this important measure, and I commend Senator Hoeven for introducing it in the Senate. In North Dakota we have the lowest unemployment rate in the country and we're seeing unprecedented economic growth. A large part of this success is due to our comprehensive energy policy and commonsense regulatory environment, and there is no reason why we should not be taking this proven approach to domestic energy production and applying it nationwide."

"I encourage my friends in the Senate to support the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act," said Rep. Ed Whitfield, Chairman, Subcommittee on Energy and Power; Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. "This very important legislation will help strengthen our economy, create jobs and set us on a path to bring down gas prices."

"I urge Harry Reid and Senate Democrats to give this bill the serious consideration it deserves. This all-inclusive policy will help wean us of our dependence on foreign oil, and it will use American made energy to power our economy and create more American jobs. It is something Democrats and Republicans should be working on together," said Rep. Cory Gardner.

In addition to Hoeven, Senate sponsors include: Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), David Vitter (R-La.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Pat Roberts (R-Kans.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).