Graham Amendment Protects Taxpayers From 'Energy Tax'

Press Release

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham's (R-South Carolina) amendment to the Senate budget resolution protecting middle class taxpayers from legislation increasing the cost of energy passed the Senate today 65 - 33.

"The climate change proposal in the President's budget would create a massive tax increase on every American," said Graham. "We can deal with climate change without imposing a $3,000 per household energy tax on the families of America that are already having a hard time paying the bills."

Graham noted the President's climate plan disproportionately hurts the middle class by imposing heavy costs on manufacturers and businesses in states that rely on coal to provide electricity.

The Graham amendment creates a budget point of order requiring 60 votes to pass any piece of legislation that would impose an energy tax on individuals making less than $200,000 per year or families making less than $250,000 by increasing the cost of producing, generating, or consuming energy.

A vote on final passage of the budget is expected in the Senate late tonight.

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