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News and Views |
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Lewis:
Energy and Water Appropriations bill does little to address rising gas prices However,
the legislation passed today does not include any substantive measures to help
mitigate the nation’s growing energy crisis. While the bill funds some
investments in energy research and development, the results from these projects
– which can take decades to complete – would not be useful in addressing the
immediate problem. “I
say to my friends in the majority, what does this bill do ease the pain and the
pump for our constituents right now?” Lewis said. Lewis
also expressed concerns at the bill’s questionable prioritization of funds,
including $500 million in new funding for grants authorized under the Energy
Independence and Security Act – a program that has not been thoroughly
reviewed or vetted by the Committee or the Administration and that has little
competitiveness criteria or oversight standards. “Throwing
the taxpayers money into haphazard grant programs and research projects will do
little, if anything, to ease the strain on American families due to high gas
prices. We must take a harder look to see what can be done today to improve the
bill to bring more immediate relief at the pump and to rein in unnecessary
spending,” Lewis said. “Fortunately,
this bill is going through a regular, proper appropriations process that allows
input and improvements from all sides – a trend that I hope continues upon
consideration of this bill on the House floor,” he continued. Click Here to Return to News & Views
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