Pence Prepared Remarks for Pennsylvania Energy Summit
Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, and Chairman of the American Energy Solutions Group (AESG) made the following remarks at the (AESG) Energy Summit held in Pittsburgh, PA. The AESG will be hosting several summits across the country this week in order to develop policy initiatives to lower energy prices for American families and small businesses, and create energy independence for the American people:
[As Prepared For Delivery]
"Pittsburgh has a great history as an industrial center in our nation, be it in steel or other manufacturing. Now, with its diversified economy and its place as an energy center in our nation, I think it is altogether appropriate that we gather here to discuss the future of our nation's energy policy.
"I am honored to be joined by Rep. Tim Murphy, representing the 18th Congressional District of Pennsylvania and parts of the greater Pittsburgh area. Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson is also here today. He represents the 5th District of Pennsylvania, covering much of central and western Pennsylvania.
"The American Energy Solutions Group is a group of House Republicans working to craft legislative solutions that will lower energy prices for American families and small businesses and create energy independence for the American people. A few weeks ago, the Solutions Group held a summit very similar to this in Washington, DC, and heard from people who represent millions of Americans from around the nation on the subject of the Waxman-Markey cap and tax bill. Later this week we will hold two additional summits on energy in Indianapolis and San Luis Obispo, California. We are taking advantage of this Congressional District Work Period to criss-cross the nation and engage in a conversation with the American people about energy. I truly believe the best ideas in America do not come from Washington, DC, but come from places like Pittsburgh, and that is why we are here today.
"We are honored to have a great panel of academics, industry representatives, and energy experts with us to share their expertise and insight. This summit is intended to be a discussion about not only the economic impacts of the national energy tax proposed in the Waxman-Markey legislation, but also the future of coal and other sources of energy. It is my hope that we can leave here better armed with information and ideas so that Republicans can craft common-sense legislative solutions that will lower energy costs, increase supply, create jobs, and provide energy independence for the American people.
"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 home state of Indiana, families are experiencing a painful 10 percent unemployment rate. I understand that here in Pennsylvania, the unemployment rate is over 8 percent. Unfortunately, as our nation's hard-working families struggle to overcome these hardships, some in Washington are pushing a drastic new energy plan which will force a national energy tax on already burdened taxpayers.
"There is no doubt that the Democrats' misguided bill will kill jobs, raise taxes and lead to more government intrusion. This national energy tax is an irresponsible proposal that will do more harm than good. If a cap-and-tax bill becomes law, estimates suggest that household energy costs could rise by an average of $3100, or by even $4,300 according to a recent Heritage Foundation study of the Waxman-Markey bill. 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.
"Let me be clear. Republicans want to protect our environment, and believe we can do so while at the same time growing our economy and protecting jobs. Republicans believe we can increase American energy production made by American workers, encourage greater efficiency and conservation, and promote the use of alternative fuels without enacting a national energy tax.
"We look forward to hearing from our witnesses today, and I am confident that in the coming weeks Republicans will be able to take these ideas and offer an energy plan that will lead America to energy independence and a cleaner environment."
Our pro-growth agenda will remove government barriers to job creation without raising taxes on working families and small business owners.
