Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted By the Environmental Protection Agency Relating to ``Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions''

Floor Speech

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Ms. McCLELLAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 35, which will block the methane polluter fee, which is designed to control wasteful methane from the oil and gas industry.

This resolution is another attempt by Republicans to put corporate polluters ahead of hardworking American people. Much like their budget adopted last night, it is a handout for billionaires and large corporations.

Despite President Trump's promise to cut energy costs, Republicans are actively working to raise Americans' energy bills, not to mention the effect that reckless tariffs that, together with this policy, the Republicans are pushing will drive American energy bills and prices at the pump sky high.

However, I guess those high prices are worth the costs to Republicans if it means Big Oil and Gas are pleased.

The Methane Emissions Reduction Program was created to make sure that these big corporations pay for their own pollution, but I guess my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would prefer that American families cover the cost of corporate pollution.

Under this resolution, the American people will be stuck footing the bill. That is egregious. It is egregious to let the American people bear the burden of industry's pollution. It is not just a cost to their wallets, but also a cost to their health and safety.

The oil and gas sector is the single largest industrial source of methane pollution in the United States, responsible for nearly a third of our emissions. We know that this pollution of our air has powerful effects on our climate and is driving worsening natural disasters.

The devastating wildfires and hurricanes that we have seen, fueled by climate change, aren't just our children's problem. They are here today. The pollution that this methane gas produces affects our children's health today. It affects their respiratory health, among other things.

While Republicans are pushing tax breaks for billionaires and corporate polluters, they will get a pat on the back from the industry today. Democrats are thinking about the future and the world that our children and their children will inherit.

Will it be livable? Will they be able to breathe?

I urge my colleagues to put the American people and families now and in the future over polluters and vote ``no'' on H.J. Res. 35.

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