WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) Friday voted to oppose higher taxes on energy that would raise costs for Hoosier families and businesses. The House passed H.Con.Res. 89, expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would harm the U.S. economy, and H.Con.Res. 112, expressing opposition to the president’s proposed $10 tax on every barrel of oil. Earlier this week, the House also passed H.R. 4775, the Ozone Standards Implementation Act, to give states greater flexibility in implementing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stringent new ozone and other air quality standards.
“Hoosier families and businesses already pay enough for gas and electricity. They don’t need higher energy taxes or burdensome regulations squeezing them even more,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “These measures will protect Hoosier families by sending a clear message to the administration that we won’t stand for new energy taxes, and will support Hoosier manufacturers by creating a more realistic timeline for complying with ozone regulations.”
BACKGROUND
H.R. 4775, the Ozone Standards Implementation Act, would allow states to comply with the EPA’s ozone standards in a more practical and cost-effective manner. The bill, which passed by a vote of 234 to 177, would phase in the implementation of two ozone standards and extend the review cycle of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) from five years to 10 years.
H.Con.Res. 89 expresses the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the U.S. economy. Such a tax would raise the price of gasoline, electricity, natural gas, and home heating oil, as well as increase other costs for both families and businesses, particularly in the manufacturing industry. The resolution, which passed by a vote of 237 to 163, calls for U.S. energy policy to instead encourage private sector energy innovation.
H.Con.Res. 112 expresses the sense of Congress opposing the $10.25 per barrel tax on oil proposed in the president’s fiscal year 2017 budget request. The tax would raise the price of gas by 25 cents per gallon, increasing the economic burden on American families and businesses. The resolution passed by a vote of 253 to 144.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.
