Rep. Mike Pence Opening Remarks for the American Energy Solutions Group National Energy Summit
As prepared for delivery:
U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, and Chair of the American Energy Solutions Group (AESG) made the following statement today at the American Energy Solutions Group National Energy Summit on the Democrats' misguided national energy tax:
"Welcome to the first of many Energy Summits hosted by the American Energy Solutions Group. We are honored to have a great panel of scholars, business leaders, and energy experts with us today to share their expertise and insight on the economic impacts of the Democrats' cap and tax proposal. We also are honored to have our Republican Leader John Boehner, Republican Whip Eric Cantor and so many Members present today.
"While we are in Washington today, we are hearing from people who represent millions of Americans from around the nation. Later this month we will hold three additional summits on energy in Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and California. We literally will be taking this conversation on energy across the nation, to the places and the people where the best ideas come from in America.
"We are here this morning during a difficult time in the life of our nation. Our economy is in a deep recession. We have witnessed the loss of more than 5 million jobs, trillions of dollars of retirement savings, and the closing of thousands of small businesses across our great nation. In my state of Indiana families are experiencing a painful 10 percent unemployment rate. Unfortunately, as our nation's hard-working families struggle to overcome these hardships, some in Washington are proposing a drastic new energy plan which will force a national energy tax on already burdened taxpayers.
"Today's discussion will focus on the national energy tax proposed by the Waxman-Markey legislation, the legislation's possible effects, and the Republican commonsense solutions that will lower energy costs, increase supply, create jobs and provide energy independence for the American people.
"There is no doubt that the Democrats' misguided bill will kill jobs, raise taxes and lead to more government intrusion. This is an irresponsible proposal that will do more harm than good. Studies indicate that family energy costs will rise on average by more than $3,100 a year. And those hardest hit by this massive national energy tax will be the poor - who experts agree spend a greater proportion of their income on energy consumption.
"To make matters worse, a devastating consequence of the Democrats' legislation will be fewer jobs for hard-working Americans. Various studies suggest anywhere from 1.8 to 7 million jobs could be lost. At a time when our nation's economy is suffering, the last thing Congress should do is support legislation that will cause job loss.
"This energy tax will not be borne evenly across the United States. According to a study that ranks Congressional districts based on their manufacturing employment and amount of electricity derived from coal, the Midwest and Southeast will suffer the most. The economies of Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Iowa will be most negatively affected.
"The reality is the cap and tax legislation offered by the Democrats amounts to an economic declaration of war on the Midwest by liberals on Capitol Hill.
"Let me be clear Republicans want to protect our environment. Republicans want to grow our economy and protect jobs, and Republicans believe we can do that while at the same time working toward a cleaner environment. The problem is Democrats don't seem to care about all of the jobs that will be killed by their proposal.
"There truly is a better way. House Republicans want to increase American energy production made by American workers, encourage greater efficiency and conservation, and promote the use of alternative fuels in order to create jobs, grow the economy and establish energy independence.
"Soon, House Republicans will offer a plan that is more environmentally friendly than the Democratic plan. The truth is the Democrat cap-and-tax plan will relocate manufacturing plants overseas in countries with less stringent environmental regulations - thus negating any possible emissions reductions. Furthermore, our plan will include increased use of clean and safe nuclear energy, which does not emit carbon.
"With that, I will yield to Leader Boehner and then Whip Cantor for their opening remarks. Then, my co-chairs Fred Upton and John Shimkus and I will briefly introduce our witnesses and ask them to give a few minutes of remarks before opening up the panel to my colleagues' questions."
Our pro-growth agenda will remove government barriers to job creation without raising taxes on working families and small business owners.
