During a lengthy speech shortly after his departure as speaker of the House, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) highlighted the legislative wins during his leadership, including the “Lower Energy Costs Act.” However, this bill is currently stuck between the two chambers of Congress and going nowhere fast. Furthermore, it’s nothing more than a giveaway to the fossil fuel industry, which has provided significant campaign contributions to its GOP sponsors.
The bill, known as H.R. 1, was passed by House Republicans in March, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) declared it “dead on arrival.” President Joe Biden has also made clear his intention to veto it if it reaches his desk.
Despite McCarthy’s praise for the bill, he failed to mention a crucial detail. As of now, the Senate has not received the bill from the House clerk, so it cannot be considered until it is transmitted from the other chamber. Capitol Hill correspondent Jamie Dupree noted that McCarthy is withholding several House-passed bills from the Senate, including the energy bill.
During a debate on Rep. Matt Gaetz’s motion to remove McCarthy as speaker, several allies of McCarthy used the GOP energy bill to defend his record. However, it’s important to note that the House has not actually sent the energy bill to the Senate.
Republicans like Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) touted the bill as a means to “unleash American energy dominance,” echoing the fossil fuel industry and the Trump administration. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) claimed the bill would lower gas prices and restore American energy independence.
Interestingly, while Republicans praised the bill, they also took the opportunity to criticize the energy policies of the Biden administration. They accused Biden of trying to undermine American energy, despite the fact that the industry is thriving in terms of production and profits. The U.S. continues to be the largest producer of oil and gas, and it became a net exporter of oil in 2020.
The GOP energy bill is part of a larger effort to portray Biden as anti-energy. It includes provisions such as increased oil and gas leasing on federal lands, lower royalty rates for drilling, and limits on environmental reviews. The bill also aims to repeal a key portion of Biden’s climate law that provides grants for clean energy infrastructure.
In response to the bill, the White House criticized it as a “license to pollute” and a threat to American families. They argue that it would raise costs, roll back clean energy investments, and benefit oil and gas companies at the expense of public health and the environment.
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