Walberg Opposes Increasing US Dependence on Foreign Energy

WALBERG OPPOSES INCREASING U.S. DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN ENERGY

U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) today entered the following remarks into the Congressional record during the debate on H.R. 6, the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007.

"I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 6, which will raise the prices at the pumps, discourage domestic energy production, hurt America's working families and encourage America's dependence on foreign energy.

"I'm reminded of the family down the road from me back home in Michigan. They are a family with four kids, both parents working and are struggling to get by. If this legislation becomes law every time they fill up their gas tank or heat their house, it will be an even greater burden on this family.

"I've always said my number one priority while I'm in Congress is to protect the American taxpayer, that's a promise I made and that's a promise that I'll keep. Never voting for a tax increase is the same promise I made and kept during my 16 years in the Michigan House.

"This is the first tax increase vote in 13 years, and it didn't take the new majority more than two weeks to bring it to the floor to punish the American worker.

"This legislation doesn't just force taxpayers to throw more money to the government, it also has our government tearing up already negotiated private contracts with the government at they same time we're trying to convince Russia, Venezuela and other countries to abide by the rule of law and respect its citizens property rights.

"Bottom line, this bill will increase our reliance on foreign oil, decrease our competitiveness and raise the prices at the pumps and the energy bills of working families. I urge my colleagues to vote no on increasing our dependence on foreign oil and yes on lower taxes, less regulation and respect to the rule of law."

http://walberg.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=55863