Lower Energy Costs Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. CRAIG. Madam Chair, like many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle here today, I believe we need an all-of-the-above energy approach in this country.

As a Member of Congress representing a district that is 65 percent covered in corn and soybeans every single summer, that all-of-the-above approach includes strong support for biofuels.

When prices at the gas pump were rising last year, I worked across the aisle to pass legislation allowing for the year-round sales of E15 through this House. This was the first time a bill like this passed this body.

Renewable fuels like E15 are made with a higher ethanol blend than regular gasoline and can sell for up to 40 cents less per gallon in Minnesota.

Investments in E15 and biofuels mean new markets for our family farmers growing corn and soybeans in my district, and it means giving our domestic energy supply security and reinforcement as we work to increase U.S. energy independence.

I am proud to have worked last summer to pass the largest investment in biofuels in our Nation's history through the Inflation Reduction Act.

This is a game changer for corn growers and soybean farmers in my district, and it is a commonsense way to help protect our environment, strengthen our energy independence, and lower costs for Americans.

The Inflation Reduction Act included many more investments in renewable energy and important reforms to our oil and gas leasing practices.

Today, House Republicans are putting forth hyperpartisan legislation to roll back the climate progress we made in the last Congress, gutting clean air and drinking water protections and giving handouts to polluters.

Their so-called all-of-the-above energy bill does not contain even a discussion of biofuels. There were amendments offered by my colleague in Iowa to include biofuels in this legislation. Republicans blocked them.

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Ms. CRAIG. Madam Chair, it is one thing to say you support an all-of- the-above energy approach. It is entirely another thing to actually do it.

I will work with anyone to lower costs for my constituents and to support Minnesota farmers, but this bill is a handout to Big Oil and a slap in the face to family farmers.

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