Vitter Introduces Budget Amendment to Prohibit GHG Regulations Until China, India & Russia Implement Similar

Press Release

U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, today introduced an amendment to the Senate budget resolution to prohibit the regulation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. unless and until China, India and Russia implement similar reductions.

"China, India and Russia, some of the world's largest carbon emitters, have not shackled their economies with burdensome regulations, and I'm afraid it will become increasingly difficult for businesses to justify locating new facilities in the United States, leaving them to look overseas," Vitter said. "Economically, it does not make sense to put ourselves at a competitive disadvantage in the name of a political agenda based on questionable supposed benefits. You always hear the far-left crowd talk about regulating or taxing carbon dioxide, but you never hear them address the consequences of how it would increase the cost of energy on those least able to afford it, or the negative effects on domestic manufacturing and jobs."

In February, Vitter questioned the Environmental Protection Agency's "too little too late" approach on sound science after the EPA released their new rule-making guideline. The Office of the Science Advisor released a new data quality guide that agency staff must consider for future rule-making. The guide does not retroactively consider any greenhouse gas regulations that have already been implemented.

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