Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, R-Southwest Louisiana, today appealed to Democratic House leaders to rethink a final Democratic budget that would tax American energy production and open the door to government-run healthcare.

“This budget will cost Southwest Louisiana and the Gulf Coast jobs,” Boustany said. “It’s that plain and simple. Dramatically hiking taxes on America’s energy producers will force jobs overseas and some companies to close. That’s an irresponsible budget in the face of a slowing national economy and a coast that continues to recover. What’s worse, the budget will allow Washington Democrats to implement changes in our healthcare system without any of the normal checks and balances. This is a tax hike on working families and terrible policy.”

As proposed, the President’s $3.6 trillion budget would increase taxes on American energy producers by $2 billion in FY2011 alone. The EPA estimated the proposed budget would translate into an extra $1.27 per gallon paid by U.S. energy consumers as a result of the President’s proposed “Cap and Trade” carbon tax program. Last summer, gas prices topped $4 per gallon.

Announced today, the budget agreement between the House and the Senate will be voted upon by both bodies for final passage. Using procedural tools, Washington Democrats will be able to pass massive healthcare and energy changes without the scrutiny of standard procedure.

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