Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee argued against the centerpiece climate change policy of Democrats infrastructure and social spending reconciliation package but in the end, the committee approved the plan that is seen as a push away from the dependence on fossil fuels.
The committee, of which Oklahoma Congressman Markwayne Mullin is a member voted 30-27 on a partisan basis Tuesday to advance the core energy portion of its Build Back Better Act, a plan to pay utilities to generate a growing percentage of power from clean sources.
It drew Mullin’s “no” vote as he called it a step closer to a complete socialist takeover by Democrats.
“From a massive investment in the Green New Deal to expanding government-controlled health care, this $1 trillion portion will kill jobs and take away freedom. And this is just a fraction of the larger, $3.5 trillion tax and spend spree that will saddle future generations with crippling debt. The American people are already paying more for just about everything and they are the ones who will suffer the consequences,” he said in a statement issued by his office.
Ranking GOP member, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers was blunt in her comments this week as she spoke against Democrats efforts.
“We should focus on results—not a magical solution that won’t work,” she said.
“The policies that are being promoted in this committee as the path to a clean energy future—are the very failed policies embarked by other countries.”
Republicans attempted several amendments to the green energy tax breaks offered and eventually approved by the Democrats in majority.
The $1 trillion package includes:
- A tax on natural gas, driving up costs of energy and manufacturing.
- Unrealistic clean energy standards to meet Paris Climate Accord standards.
- More federal health spending and control than Obamacare.
- Expansions of Medicare, making it closer to insolvency.
- Incentives to keep children out of school and prioritize remote learning.
- Handouts to the Federal Trade Commission without privacy protections for Americans.
Democrats fell back on their mantra of climate change as displayed by Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts at the start of Tuesday’s markup.
“Climate change is one of the most catastrophically dangerous challenges confronting our nation. It’s already causing increased wildfires, drought, flooding and severe storms. If we don’t take bold action, these phenomena will only intensify in the coming years as the planet continues to warm.”
Committee Democrats rejected most of the amendments offered by Mullin and other Republicans including:
- Exempt farmers, ranchers, and agriculture operators from the Natural Gas Tax. The tax is estimated to cost $6,500 per dairy cow, $2,600 per head of cattle, and $500 per swine each year.
- Prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortions.
- Ensure federal emergency response system funding does not go to entities that support defunding or abolishing the police.
- Ban the use of critical minerals from China and the Taliban as well as from forced labor.
- Ensure federally recognized Indian Tribes aren’t subject to burdensome Green New Deal regulations.
- Prohibit the teaching of Critical Race Theory.