Providing for Congressional Disapproval of a Rule Submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S.J. Res. 24, which expresses Congress' disapproval of the EPA's carbon emission rule for existing power plants. The administration's unprecedented rule would inhibit our ability to produce affordable and reliable electricity.

A robust energy supply is essential to national security, public health, and the economy, yet the administration continues to wage war on the source of 85 percent of America's energy. Until our energy infrastructure can support widespread use of alternate energy sources, we cannot arbitrarily force the closure of plants that are keeping lights on for millions of Americans.

Implementing this rule would result in the loss of over 125,000 jobs, as well as significantly higher electric bills in 48 States. Forty of these States would see double-digit electricity price increases.

Our Nation is still in a period of economic recovery. Low- and middle-income American families already spend 17 percent of their household budget on electric bills. These families cannot afford to have another costly mandate forced upon them.

Our economy cannot recover, much less compete on a global level, with this many jobs lost. This resolution would prevent this rule from having any effect and would prohibit the EPA from reissuing this rule in a similar form.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill so we can assure Americans are not disadvantaged by another costly regulation.

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