Weekly Update from Sam

Statement

Dear Friends,

This week, as the nation's slow economic growth for the most recent quarter was revised downward to 1.8%, President Obama gave a speech outlining an anti-energy agenda that will hinder the economic recovery. A Politico article this week described President Obama as "sounding the cannons" in a war on coal, which will lead to higher electricity bills for millions of Americans. However, this administration's flawed energy policies go far beyond coal to impede nearly every major energy source. Offshore energy production has been curtailed severely under this administration. The Keystone Pipeline has been blocked, despite obvious benefits calculated in more jobs and lower energy costs. And he's announcing more anti-growth policies to come. This administration keeps finding new obstacles to U.S. energy production. The President's speech indicates the next move will come from the Environmental Protection Agency -- the same regulatory bureaucracy that considered regulating the amount of dust that farmers stir up.

We must do what we can legislatively to protect American consumers and entrepreneurs burdened by this costly agenda. Affordable energy fuels the economy, and escalating energy costs are tough on small business budgets. America has a wealth of energy options, despite policies that prevent full access to these resources. The administration should stop picking energy winners and losers, and go forward with a comprehensive strategy that builds from the full spectrum of abundant energy sources.

Sincerely,

Sam Graves
Chairman

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