As the Senate continues to consider H.R. 2028, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2017, NTU urges all Senators to support initiatives that reduce expenditures, promote a true “all of the above” energy policy, and uphold free-market enterprise.
To that end, NTU urges all Senators to vote “NO” on the following amendments:
Murray (D-WA) Amendment #3813: This misguided amendment would require all anchor and mooring chains four inches or less in diameter, used by the Army Corps of Engineers to be manufactured in the United States. Previously a problematic provision confined to the Department of Defense Appropriations bill, expanding this anti-competitive, crony capitalist policy to the purview of this legislation would set a dangerous procurement precedent and could increase costs for taxpayers. Legislation to fund the activities of the federal government should not be used as a jobs program. Instead, legislators should be pursuing competitive policies that achieve both the best cost and value for taxpayer dollars. Enshrining this amendment in Energy and Water appropriations bill would increase the likelihood that this protectionist policy, and others like it, will be rubberstamped in the future and extended to other parts of the federal budget.
Merkley (D-OR), Grassley (R-IA) Amendment #3812: This amendment would increase research and development funding for wind energy production to almost $96 million. Wind energy has been a costly boondoggle – intermittent, inefficient, unreliable, and increasing electricity costs for ratepayers. Government funded research in this industry is an improper and wasteful use of taxpayer dollars that reduces the need for the types of private investment and innovation that make new technologies economically viable.
Roll call votes on the above amendments to H.R. 2028 will be included in our annual Rating of Congress.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Affairs Manager Nan Swift (703) 683-5700