‘Americans deserve better. They expect a full and open debate, particularly on a piece of legislation as far-reaching as this’
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday regarding the Thune and Johanns amendments to the budget that the Senate will consider Tuesday afternoon:
“I’d like to speak briefly on two of the amendments we’ll consider today. One protects Americans from a new national energy tax in the form of an increase in electricity and gasoline prices at a time when they can least afford it, and one brings transparency to the budget process.
“The first amendment we’ll consider, sponsored by the Junior Senator from South Dakota, says that the reserve fund in the budget resolution for climate change cannot be used for legislation that would increase electricity or gasoline prices for American consumers.
“An increase in electricity and gas prices would disproportionately affect people at the lower ends of the economic ladder. And American families cannot afford a tax increase at a time when many are already struggling to make ends meet. Passing this amendment would protect them from the additional burden of the new national energy tax included in the Administration’s budget.
“The second amendment, sponsored by the Junior Senator from Nebraska, bars the use of Reconciliation when considering climate change legislation, thus assuring an open, bipartisan debate on this job killing and far-reaching proposal.
“Democrat budget writers who support Reconciliation know their plans for a new national energy tax are unpopular with both Republicans and Democrats. That’s why they’re trying to fast-track this legislation down the road and prevent its critics from having their say.
“The strategy of the Reconciliation advocates is clear: lay the groundwork for a new national energy tax that could cost American households up to $3,100 per year, keep it quiet, then rush it through Congress leaving transparency and debate in its wake.
“Americans deserve better. They expect a full and open debate, particularly on a piece of legislation as far-reaching as this. And the proposal by the junior Senator from Nebraska would ensure it.
“Here are two Republican ideas Americans support. I urge my colleagues to do the same by voting in favor of the Johanns and Thune Amendments.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday regarding the Thune and Johanns amendments to the budget that the Senate will consider Tuesday afternoon:
“I’d like to speak briefly on two of the amendments we’ll consider today. One protects Americans from a new national energy tax in the form of an increase in electricity and gasoline prices at a time when they can least afford it, and one brings transparency to the budget process.
“The first amendment we’ll consider, sponsored by the Junior Senator from South Dakota, says that the reserve fund in the budget resolution for climate change cannot be used for legislation that would increase electricity or gasoline prices for American consumers.
“An increase in electricity and gas prices would disproportionately affect people at the lower ends of the economic ladder. And American families cannot afford a tax increase at a time when many are already struggling to make ends meet. Passing this amendment would protect them from the additional burden of the new national energy tax included in the Administration’s budget.
“The second amendment, sponsored by the Junior Senator from Nebraska, bars the use of Reconciliation when considering climate change legislation, thus assuring an open, bipartisan debate on this job killing and far-reaching proposal.
“Democrat budget writers who support Reconciliation know their plans for a new national energy tax are unpopular with both Republicans and Democrats. That’s why they’re trying to fast-track this legislation down the road and prevent its critics from having their say.
“The strategy of the Reconciliation advocates is clear: lay the groundwork for a new national energy tax that could cost American households up to $3,100 per year, keep it quiet, then rush it through Congress leaving transparency and debate in its wake.
“Americans deserve better. They expect a full and open debate, particularly on a piece of legislation as far-reaching as this. And the proposal by the junior Senator from Nebraska would ensure it.
“Here are two Republican ideas Americans support. I urge my colleagues to do the same by voting in favor of the Johanns and Thune Amendments.”
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