WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) said today’s defeat of a Senate measure to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing greenhouse gas regulation as a sign of concern for a resolution of disapproval she co-authored in the House of Representatives.

“We are essentially allowing EPA to implement policies without any kind of check on their authority. This is a way for the administration to implement a cap-and-trade bill which Congress will not pass because of its disastrous effects on multiple sectors of our economy.  EPA should not be able to institute policies with powers that Congress has not expressly given to the agency,” Emerson said.  “This is one case where the costs of regulation aren’t just troublesome to Americans, but will absolutely demolish sectors of our economy and the jobs in them.”

Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture Collin Peterson and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Ike Skelton authored the resolution of disapproval language in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Stopping cap-and-trade policies is a priority shared by Republicans and Democrats from Midwest states where the energy we use fuels our economy, enables us to heat and cool our homes, and powers our cars and trucks.  The price of every item on our grocery store shelves is directly related to the cost of the energy used to produce and to deliver it,” Emerson said.  “Allowing EPA to unilaterally set policies to tax energy and add surcharges that get passed on to consumers is unacceptable for taxpayers, families and businesses in Missouri.”

The Murkowski resolution of disapproval failed by a vote of 47-53.