Rep. Cook Votes Against Energy and Gas Taxes

Press Release

Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) today voted for H. Con. Res. 112, expressing the sense of Congress in opposition to the President's proposed $10 tax on every barrel of oil and H. Con. Res. 89, expressing the Sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be harmful to the United States economy. Both measures passed the House.

H. Con. Res. 112 opposes the President's Budget request, which included a proposed $10.25 tax hike on every barrel of oil. This tax could increase the cost of a barrel of oil by approximately 30% and result in an increase of approximately 25 cents per gallon of gasoline for American consumers. The current federal tax on gas is 18.4 cents.

H. Con. Res. 89 expresses the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to American families and is not in the best interest of the United States. A study by the National Association of Manufacturers found that a carbon tax would have a negative effect on consumption, investment, and jobs. The study also found that the tax would lead to lower real wages, lower labor productivity, and an increase in the cost of coal, natural gas, and petroleum products.

Cook said, "These anti-energy, anti-growth taxes are not good for America. These taxes fall hardest on the poor, the elderly, and those on fixed incomes. We ought to be promoting energy policies that make America more energy independent and create jobs--not instituting new taxes that choke our economy. These taxes penalize consumers, stifle economic growth, and will lead to fewer jobs."

A member of the House Natural Resources, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook served as an infantry officer and retired after 26 years as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

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