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WASHINGTON- Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (R-SC) expressed his utmost disappointment today after the hasty passage of the Democrat’s Cap and Trade bill, legislation that is nothing more than a massive national energy tax on each and every American family and business. Instead of this misguided legislation, Congress should have considered the pro-consumer, pro-worker, “all of the above” energy legislation drafted by Brown and House Republicans. After the vote, Congressman Brown made the following statement:
“Today the Democratic majority forced a vote of historic proportions. This national energy tax has the potential to be the biggest tax in history and is going to hit the American people when they are down.
Unemployment has risen to 12% now in South Carolina, and it continues to rise steadily all across the nation. Legislation of this nature will only inflict even more economic pain upon already struggling Americans.
The bill will sock it to every American who drives a car, has a monthly utility bill or buys essentials like food and clothing. Experts estimate the annual costs will be $3,100 for every family within a few years, a financial hardship that will greatly impact the poor who already spend a greater portion of their income on energy consumption.
In return for this wallop to Middle America's wallet, there will be virtually no change in the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted into the atmosphere, the reduction of which is supposed to be the bill's main purpose.
Additionally, the National Energy Tax is predicted to eliminate 2.5 million American jobs (National Black Chamber of Commerce), decrease America’s Gross Domestic Product by 2.5 percent (Brookings Institute) and raise inflation-adjusted gasoline prices by 58 percent (Heritage Foundation).
The American public is against the ultimate consequences of this bill, and it is a shame that their voices went unheard, and the action taken today was neither done to protect the environmental nor make our nation more energy independent, but for the sole purpose of government expansion.
In addition to hundreds of constituent calling against this bill, many local and national groups, actively oppose the Waxman Markey National Energy Tax.
One such group is the American agriculture industry. Whether it’s the fuel for the tractor, fertilizer for the crops or the gasoline used to deliver their products, agriculture groups like the South Carolina Peanut Growers Association and South Carolina Farm Bureau would be facing massive taxes throughout every stage of their production cycle. These taxes will result in higher prices for American consumers.
Steel and iron manufacturers, like Nucor Steel in Berkeley County, which employs hundreds of First District residents, are also actively opposed to this legislation, as it is designed to, and will, dramatically raise prices for all types of energy. The manufacturing industry as a whole will face an instant inability to compete internationally once these restrictive renewable electricity standards are in place. This will result in shuttered plants here at home.
After months of increasing unemployment and drastic federal spending, this is the wrong bill at the wrong time. Republicans propose a better way forward that would grow our economy, create new high-paying jobs, protect our environment and provide affordable energy.
The American Energy Act (H.R. 2846) is an all-of-the-above plan that would develop all types of American-made energy. It calls for more domestic oil and natural gas exploration and targets revenues from those leases for a renewable energy trust fund to promote wind, solar, hydropower, nuclear and biomass energy sources. This legislation is a comprehensive strategy with a path to the future, not a punitive tax on utilities and energy suppliers that will only be passed on to the cash-strapped consumer.
Unfortunately, this bill was never considered for a vote, and now, Americans will face yet another financial hurdle if this National Energy Tax passes the Senate, don’t worry though, not everybody will be losers. Politicians in Congress will have more tax dollars to spend and there will be thousands of new opportunities for further government expansion.”
Read more information on my work to promote the Republican American Energy Act.
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