Barton, Scalise lead effort opposing job-killing carbon tax

Press Release

Republican Study Committee Chairman Steve Scalise and RSC Energy Task Force Chair Joe Barton today introduced a House Resolution opposing efforts by Washington liberals to install a nationwide carbon tax.

"Liberals in Washington have an unquenchable thirst for more job-killing tax hikes on American families and businesses, and we're here today to make it clear that Congress will fight tooth and nail against any attempt to pass a tax on carbon, which will hurt American families and increase the cost of every good manufactured in the US," RSC Chairman Steve Scalise said. "A national carbon tax would devastate an already struggling American economy, force the cost of gas at the pump to jump even higher, and kill millions more jobs here at home. We need to return common-sense back to Washington, and put an end to the liberal tax, regulate, and spend agenda that is destroying our middle class economy. With more than 85 original cosponsors, I'm proud to introduce this important legislation."

"A carbon tax is a bad idea whose time has still not -- and will never - come. This is just another recycled liberal policy that raises taxes and kills jobs," said RSC Energy Task Force Chair Joe Barton. "And the worst part is it targets Middle America hitting low income people, blue collar workers and the elderly the hardest. I fought to protect those people from this cap and tax scheme in 2009 and I will do it again. We need to promote the growth of the economy by cutting Washington's red tape, not handcuffing job creators with more regulations. I am proud to join Chairman Scalise and my colleagues in this important effort."

"By its very nature, a carbon tax would put an unnecessary burden on American families and businesses by raising energy costs," said Thomas Pyle, President of the American Energy Alliance. "This increase in costs would not only affect energy prices, such as electricity and gasoline, but will also increase the costs of food and manufactured items that we use in our everyday lives. Chairman Scalise recognizes these negative implications. He understands our need for policies that embrace America's reliable energy sources and promote economic growth. For all of these reasons, I am proud to stand here today in support of Chairman Scalise's carbon tax resolution."

"The cost of energy consistently ranks among the top concerns of small businesses, and a strong majority of NFIB members are opposed to the very idea of a carbon tax," said Dan Danner, President and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business. "If Washington truly wants to help small businesses start to grow again and create jobs, a carbon tax would be one of the worst policy ideas to consider. The last thing small businesses need is Washington driving up their cost to do business by creating a tax that will impact them every time they hit the light switch. I applaud Congressman Scalise for introducing this resolution to get Congress on record in opposition to an ill-advised carbon tax."

"As an industry that depends on affordable energy in the production and transport of its commodities, agriculture would be especially disadvantaged by a carbon tax," said Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, in a letter supporting the resolution. "One of the toughest challenges growers face is dealing with the obstacles and variability that Mother Nature often hands us. Our grassroots members, comprised of hard-working farmers and ranchers, have clearly stated in our policy that we are opposed to taxes on carbon uses or emissions."

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