You Decide Through Elected Representatives

Controversial climate change policies should be determined by elected representatives, not the federal bureaucracy.  To make sure there’s debate -- where all points of view can be represented and where there is accountability for decisions -- this week I joined in introducing a bill to make it clear that the Environmental Protection Agency does not have the authority to regulate greenhouse gases.  Congress needs to act if cap-and-trade type policies are to be implemented.

The legislation is a response to the ongoing effort by the Environmental Protection Agency to circumvent Congress with new federal regulations that would drive up the cost of gasoline and electricity for individuals, families and employers nationwide.  The agency has tried to manipulate the Clean Air Act of 1990 (which I voted for) to give itself more power than the law allows.

These policies should be debated by Congress, which is designed to reflect the will of the people, and where there’s accountability for decisions.
           
In addition, the Midwest economy would take an even bigger hit than the East and West coasts under the costly and controversial regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency.  So, it’s a matter of fair treatment and representative government that these policies should be made by elected representatives, not the unelected bureaucracy.

The bill introduced this week -- the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 -- has the support of 44 senators.