Cramer: House Votes Oppose Energy Taxes That Harm Households And National Economy

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer supported two House Concurrent Resolutions that passed the House of Representatives today opposing a carbon tax and a $10 per barrel tax on oil.

H.Con.Res. 89 expressed the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the nation's economy. A carbon tax assesses a fee on the carbon content of fuels, and would increase the energy costs of gasoline, electricity, natural and home heating oil, as well as raise the price of consumer goods. The resolution passed the House by a vote of 237-163.

H.Con.Res. 112 opposed the $10.25 per barrel tax on oil President Obama included in his Fiscal Year 17 budget request. This tax would have increased the price of gas by 25 cents per gallon. The resolution passed the House by a vote of 253 -- 144.

These taxes, said Cramer, would harm lower-income Americans the most, encourage layoffs within the oil, gas and coal sectors, slow economic growth, and reduce America's global competitiveness. "A tax on energy is a tax on everybody," said Cramer. "It taxes everything we transport, everything we produce, everything we grow, everything we manufacture. Everything in every household is taxed."

He said energy taxes have the strongest negative impact on those who are least able to afford it. "If you want to ruin the economy, kill job creation and hurt people, I guess a carbon tax and a tax on a barrel of oil is a good way to go," said Cramer. "I'd rather personally see us create jobs, not kill them."

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