U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey today voted in opposition to the Democrats’ job-killing Cap and Trade legislation. H.R. 2454 – the so-called American Clean Energy and Security Act – would impose artificial emissions standards on American companies and energy producers, increasing the cost of doing business and forcing them to cede market share to overseas competitors who will not be subject to these limits on carbon dioxide emissions. The bill passed the House by a vote of 219 to 212, almost entirely with Democratic support. 

“At a time when families and businesses throughout the nation are already struggling to make ends meet, Nancy Pelosi’s Global Warming Tax will increase the average American family’s energy bill by nearly $3,000 a year, while making it even more difficult for businesses to keep their lights on, their doors open, and their employees…employed,” said Gingrey.

“I have, instead, cosponsored a pair of bills that will truly sever our reliance on foreign sources of energy. H.R. 2846, the American Energy Act, and H.R. 2300, the American Energy Innovation Act, encourage innovation within the energy market to create renewable fuel options that will work in this country, promote greater conservation and efficiency, and most of all, focus on increasing the responsible production of American energy by utilizing the many resources and reserves we have within our borders.  This strategy recognizes the benefits of conservation and incentivizes good practices, instead of increasing taxes on every American family and business.”

U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey
H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act
General Debate Statement
June 26, 2009

Madam Speaker, we are at a crossroads. Our nation faces significant challenges—with unemployment nearing 10% and trillion dollar deficits piling up decades of debt for our children and grandchildren. 

However, Congressional Democrats should not have any illusions or be so shortsighted to think that we cannot make a bad situation significantly worse by enacting legislation like this bill that will only knock more Americans off the assembly line and into the unemployment line. 

This bill will impose the Pelosi Global Warming Tax on every single American household and business—raising home electricity costs, gas prices, and annual energy costs by almost $3000 for every family.  However, I will concede that this bill will achieve some reductions—unfortunately, it will be a reduction in our nation’s gross domestic product by almost $10 trillion and a reduction in the number of Americans employed by the millions.

Madam Speaker, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is apparently fond of the expression that we should not let “a serious crisis go to waste.”  I guess for me—that would depend on what you mean by “go to waste.”  The most unconscionable action any government can take is to exploit an economic crisis or any crisis as an excuse to expand its reach and its power—regardless of the nobility of one’s intentions. 

Madam Speaker, Washington cannot save this country, only the American people and American ingenuity can.  Unfortunately, Congressional Democrats have already allowed the Federal government to take over the banking industry and the automobile industry, and now, this House may very well vote to take over America’s energy—with control over our health care not too far behind.

Madam Speaker, I opened my remarks by saying that we are standing at a crossroads—but in truth Madam Speaker, we are not standing at a crossroads, we are standing on the edge of an economic cliff, and a vote for this bill is a vote to jump off that cliff!
Let’s stop the insanity, and wake up to the reality of imposing the Pelosi Global Warming Tax.  And in the words of another Californian, our distinguished former First Lady Nancy Reagan—JUST SAY NO!  
Madam Speaker, I yield back.