“As the price at the pump continues to soar, American families do not need more Washington taxes,” Boustany said. “We must reward innovation and ingenuity as we look for alternatives to decrease our dependence on foreign oil, but dramatically increasing taxes isn’t the solution for Southwest Louisiana.”

 

The Democratic bill, H.R. 5351, would impose $17 billion in new taxes on energy producers. In addition, the bill picks winners and losers in the alternative energy market, stifling competition to create more effective energy sources. This is the fourth energy tax bill House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) has brought to the floor by since she became Speaker in January 2007.

 

The measure passed the House by a vote of 236-182. It now goes before the Senate.

 

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