WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) today released the following statement regarding House passage of the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs & More American Jobs Act (H.R. 2) and the Jobs for America Act (H.R. 4).
“Over the course of this Congress, the House has remained focused on delivering real solutions for the American people and getting our economy moving again,” Scalise said. “In fact, the House has passed over 370 bills – many of which will create jobs and grow the economy – that are now collecting dust in Harry Reid’s Senate.
“As the representative of a region with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, I understand that a smart energy policy equates to more jobs and a healthy economy. The American people are hungry for a strong national energy policy that increases production here at home and reduces our dependence on Middle Eastern countries who don’t like us.
“Today’s votes in the House took critical steps toward increasing our energy independence and getting the American economy back on track. It starts with smart policy like the Keystone XL pipeline – a project that has been sitting on the president’s desk for six years while 40,000 jobs hang in the balance. It opens up areas rich in natural resources that are currently closed right due to radical policies, off the coasts of places like Virginia, Alaska and even Louisiana. By enacting these reforms, hardworking families struggling in this economy will see lower prices of gas at the pump and lower costs for groceries at the store. The American people can’t afford any more Senate inaction. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly take up these commonsense bills to increase American energy production and spur job growth.”
Earlier today, Rep. Scalise took to the House floor to speak in support of H.R. 2. Click HERE to watch the video.