Expressing the Sense of Congress That A Carbon Tax Would Be Detrimental to the United States Economy
Floor Speech
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Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I came down to the floor today to address the resolution we have talked about regarding the carbon tax, but since then, I think something else has come up.
We just heard one of my colleagues, I think, kind of belittle Uber drivers and waiters and waitresses. I tell you, when I take an Uber, I don't think it is something that you have to resort to, to take that job. I think it is a very hard job, going all about the city, being able to get along with sometimes difficult people, working nights. Waiters and waitresses, same thing. I have worked in kitchens. I don't think one should say that one has to resort to these jobs.
It is kind of a thing that some Congressmen have around here that I don't like. They become removed, and they sometimes think that they are more important than people doing other jobs.
I think those are both fine jobs. I respect the Uber drivers who drive me around this city. I used to work in a kitchen, and I respect the waiters and waitresses. I don't believe one should describe working as an Uber driver or a waiter and a waitress as something people have to resort to. They are fine jobs.
Now, I guess I came down here for the carbon tax. I will point out that I think the carbon tax, if implemented and people throw it out there, the carbon tax will fall on the average guy the most. It is something that falls on people who drive a car, which will be a regressive tax. It falls on people who heat their homes, which will be a regressive tax.
It bothers me, particularly when disproportionately it comes from the party that purports to represent the average guy, that when they think of a new tax to apply out there, they are going to promote a tax that disproportionately affects the average guy, because everybody has a heat bill, almost everybody has a car.
I think, among the other things that would cause a damper on the American economy, I don't like taxes that disproportionately hit the average guy.
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