Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, R-Southwest Louisiana, today urged President Obama to protect thousands of jobs along the Gulf Coast at-risk to dramatic new energy taxes in the President’s budget.

“Tonight, the President will again try to justify the enormous tax hike he proposes on American-made energy and all Americans, but his plan will cost the Gulf Coast a significant number of jobs as firms go overseas or simply downsize.” Boustany said.  “As proposed by the President, this budget picks winners and losers.  Let’s take politics off the table and focus on getting our national economy going again.”

Boustany’s comments followed the President’s Monday press conference to promote his budget.  The President is expected to focus tonight’s primetime address on the budget as well.  The move comes as questions about the cost on Americans through new energy taxes are raised.

Boustany, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, advocates a comprehensive energy plan to get Americans working again.  Massive tax increases on American energy production will cost the Gulf Coast jobs.  The EPA estimated one section of the President’s budget could raise gas taxes by $1.27 per gallon.

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