WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 4, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement in response to final EPA rules that will impose a national energy tax on American families and job creators.
“While I described their draft plan as nuts, I believe this final plan is an expensive, arrogant insult to Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. For more than a year, Americans have told President Obama and his Administration that they cannot afford his new national energy tax. Instead of listening to families and job creators, the Administration has ignored their concerns and the law and finalized a plan that is even worse than we expected. This rule is being issued in the slowest growing recovery since the Great Depression and it will be another massive burden on our economy.
“Even under their own models, there are no benefits, but the costs are very real and will be painful for people across the country. It will destroy jobs, discourage economic growth and cause energy bills to ‘skyrocket’ – just like the President promised years ago. Instead of being a shining achievement for his legacy, this will be remembered as another irresponsible policy that makes it even harder for Americans to provide for their families and reach the American dream.
“House Republicans understand we can develop American energy and protect our environment and we are committed to striking that responsible balance. We will continue to take steps to stop this national energy tax, protect workers and lower energy costs for all Americans.”
NOTE: On March 6, 2014, the House passed the Electricity Security and Affordability Act (H.R. 3826) to prevent the administration’s new rules on coal-fired energy producers from taking effect unless the House and Senate approved them by law. And on June 24, 2015, the House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R. 2042) which would ensure that states do not have to comply with the president’s national energy tax until it is proven that it is legal. The House has also taken additional steps to curb the administration’s excessive red tape and protect small businesses and manufacturers, including the REINS Act (H.R. 427) and the Regulatory Accountability Act (H.R. 185).
