Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio commented on his vote in favor of the amendment to the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act that would have prevented the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing cap-and-trade regulations that would amount to a national energy tax. The amendment was offered by Senator Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and is based on legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and co-sponsored by Senator Rubio.

“The policies coming out of Washington are taking our country in the wrong direction, and the last thing Florida families and businesses need is unaccountable bureaucrats imposing an energy tax through regulation that will increase electricity and gasoline prices. Despite having bipartisan support, today the Senate unfortunately failed to act and prevent these regulations from ever being implemented and give job creators the certainty they need to create jobs or expand an existing business. Cap-and-trade would not pass through Congress today and Obama administration should not be able to put one in place through rules drafted behind closed doors without the consent of the American people,” said Senator Rubio.

If implemented, the EPA’s regulations will have the effect of making electricity and gasoline more expensive for Florida families and businesses.