WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Rep. David B. McKinley (R-W.V.) today introduced the anti-carbon tax resolution, H. Con. Res. 119. A carbon tax, as proposed by some liberal special interest groups, would be a job-killing burden on American families and small businesses and work counter to the goal of American energy dominance.
“Working with President Trump, this Congress is leading America toward energy dominance and strong economic growth, yet some liberal Washington special interests continue to pursue a radical agenda that includes imposing a job-killing carbon tax, which would raise costs on everything we buy from electricity and gasoline to food and everyday household products,” said Whip Scalise. “The resolution I’m introducing today with Congressman McKinley would yet again put Congress on record against a carbon tax, which would result in massive job losses, lead to higher prices for American families and small businesses, and jeopardize America’s energy security. I applaud President Trump for reversing eight years of failed energy policy, and finally putting America on a strong path to energy dominance and economic security for all Americans. Our resolution will affirm the position of Congress that a carbon tax would run counter to the goals of American energy dominance and national security.”
“At a time when America has finally turned the corner and our economy is growing, the last thing we need is a tax that will take money out of the pockets of middle-class families. A carbon tax would lead to a decrease in the production of America’s abundant energy resources that would result in lost jobs, a weakening of American competitiveness globally, and a significant increase in energy costs for middle and low-income families,” said Rep. David B. McKinley. “We must focus on a national energy policy that promotes efficiency and embraces all of our resources by using them in the cleanest way possible.”
Key Stakeholder Groups Support the Resolution:
“I support the Scalise and McKinley resolution putting congress on record opposing any carbon tax. A carbon tax would kill American jobs by the millions. Taxpayers rightly fear and oppose a carbon tax. The carbon tax combines the worst of tax-and-spend politics and nanny-state hectoring. This resolution will tell them who in congress stands with them and who threatens their job and their future,” said Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform.
“Our great nation is at a crossroads. We can continue to reduce regulations and watch our economy rise with the recent tax reform. Bringing unnecessary hurdles before us like a carbon tax will preclude that growth and hurt our economy immensely. The NBCC supports the efforts of Scalise and McKinley,” said Harry C. Alford, President, National Black Chamber of Commerce.
“The American Farm Bureau Federation strongly supports the Scalise-McKinley resolution expressing congressional disapproval of a carbon tax. Agriculture is an energy-intensive sector, and a carbon tax levied on farmers and ranchers would be devastating. We support this legislation and commend Rep. Scalise for spearheading this effort. We call on members on both sides of the aisle to lend their support to this resolution,” said Zippy Duvall, President, American Farm Bureau Federation.
“In both theory and practice, the case for a carbon tax fails to serve the interests of the American public. A carbon tax would induce irrevocable economic harm on the United States while failing to meaningfully resolve any environmental issues. The American Energy Alliance supports the resolution introduced by Majority Whip Scalise and Congressman McKinley against such a damaging policy,” said Tom Pyle, President, American Energy Alliance.
“A carbon tax is like all other “progressive” climate policies. All ratchet up over time until their politically-disfavored victims are financially depleted and politically marginalized. In short, a carbon tax is a form of economic warfare waged by government against otherwise perfectly lawful enterprises. That is not how business is done in a free society and this resolution from Reps. Scalise and McKinley gets it exactly right,” said Marlo Lewis, Senior Fellow, Competitive Enterprise Institute.
“A carbon tax would be devastating to millions of American women and their families, causing their electricity bills and transportation costs to skyrocket, as well as suppressing their wages. Sadly, it would unfairly harm poor and middle-income families the most. Moms know that every dollar in the family budget counts. During a time when we are celebrating long overdue wage increases and income tax cuts, the idea of increasing taxes on basic necessities, like energy, should be off the table,” said Heather R. Higgins, CEO, Independent Women’s Voice.
“AFPM strongly supports the Scalise-McKinley anti-carbon tax resolution. Energy is the engine of progress. Making it more expensive will hurt our economy and disproportionately impact middle- and low-income families who can least afford it,” said Chet Thompson, President, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers.
“CCAGW believes that a carbon tax would harm the U.S. economy by raising the cost of all goods and services, imposing an unfair burden on the lower and middle classes, and deterring new investment, thereby killing jobs. Congress should instead act on pro-growth policies that will make the United States more competitive and prosperous,” said Tom Schatz, President, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste.
“There’s simply no good reason for lawmakers to put a carbon tax in place. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that, even with a $25/lb. tax, more than one million jobs would be gone within five years of implementation. Furthermore, yearly income for a family of four would be slashed by around $2,000,” said David Williams, President, Taxpayers Protection Alliance.
Click here to see a conservative coalition letter with over 20 groups supporting H. Con. Res. 119.