American Clean Energy And Security Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

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Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak against this flawed cap-and-trade, or rather, cap-and-tax legislation. There is no good time for a bad idea, Madam Speaker. This bad bill is nothing more or less than a national energy tax. The legislation will force American families to pay on average more than $3,000 a year in additional energy costs.

The majority would like us to believe that passing this legislation will benefit all Americans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Under this bill, energy-producing States like Oklahoma will be economically punished and devastated. Residents in rural areas who must commute long distances to work will be disproportionately affected. Rising fuel prices, coupled with rising home energy costs, will force people to make ever tougher choices. Many will face reduced living standards; spending less, saving less, and going without many of the items they need for a decent life.

Madam Speaker, for over 100 years, the people in my State and my district have worked hard to produce the energy that this country needs. Now that energy is going to be taxed. Taking away their choices, their jobs and their future just isn't bad policy. It is punitive, and it is shameful.

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