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VOTE ALERT: I Will Oppose Higher Energy Prices

Washington, June 26, 2009
Today the House of Representatives will vote on cap and trade, a costly and very harmful energy policy that could cripple our economy. I will vote NO on cap and trade today. While I agree that we need to do more to decrease our dependency on foreign sources of energy and improve energy efficiency, cap and trade is not the answer. It is an idea based on questionable science and economics. Over the past few days I have heard from hundreds of North Texans who share my strong opposition to cap and trade. You can be assured I will continue to stand up for North Texas and continue to be your strongest advocate in the federal government.
Today the House of Representatives will vote on cap and trade, a costly and very harmful energy policy that could cripple our economy. An article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram today outlines my opposition to this policy, saying:

"Several members of the North Texas congressional delegation plan a fierce fight against the climate change bill scheduled to go before the House today, saying it will hurt the economy.

Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, has made it a mission to kill the bill, which for the first time would limit the pollution blamed for global warming.

The bill 'is a costly and harmful policy that fails to adequately protect American consumers and could cripple our nation’s economy,' Burgess said. It 'will increase overhead costs, which would be devastating for business. It will increase energy prices for every single American household by hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars.'

'It is an energy tax that will be imposed on every single American consumer.'"

To access the full article, click here.

I'd like to list just a few of the effects cap and trade will have on our country's economy:
  • Create an energy tax that would amount to over $3,000 a year for a family of four
  • Destroy 2.2 jobs for every 1 potential job created
  • Ship millions of American energy jobs overseas to China and India
  • Add trillions of dollars to our national debt
  • Place increased burden on our country's rural communities
  • Cripple our economy, when we can least afford it

I will vote NO on cap and trade today. While I agree that we need to do more to decrease our dependency on foreign sources of energy and improve energy efficiency, cap and trade is not the answer. It is an idea based on questionable science and economics.

Over the past few days I have heard from hundreds of North Texans who share my strong opposition to cap and trade. You can be assured I will continue to stand up for North Texas and continue to be your strongest advocate in the federal government.