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WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement today after passage of H.R. 2454, the Democrats’ National Energy Tax Legislation:

“Congressional Democrats just dealt a devastating blow to America’s already fragile economy.  History will show that in the middle of a serious recession, Speaker Pelosi’s number one priority was to pass legislation that taxes Americans and ships their jobs overseas to India and China.  If this bill becomes law, jobs will be lost, electricity bills will sky rocket, gas prices will spike, and businesses will close. 

“The National Energy Tax bill will now move to the Senate – and I hope my colleagues in the other Chamber will stop this job-killing legislation.    

“Instead of the Democrats’ high-priced, gourmet plan that cherry-picks what types of energy Americans are allowed to use, our nation needs a plan that includes all types of energy.  The American Energy Act, a Republican alternative, does this by encouraging the development of renewable energy sources like nuclear, wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass while increasing production of American-made oil and natural gas.  This all-of-the-above approach is the best way to reduce carbon emissions and promote cleaner energy sources.

“The Democrat’s National Energy Tax will inflict real economic pain on America and must be stopped.”