As the House considers amendments to H.R. 2822, the FY16 Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, NTU urges Representatives to support those amendments that would help to restrain spending and address waste in Congress. To that end, NTU will consider “YES” votes on the following amendments to be the pro-taxpayer position:
Blackburn (R-TN): This amendment would save taxpayers $292 million by reducing spending by one percent across the board.
Pearce (R-NM): This amendment would prohibit the use of funds to increase royalties for oil or gas production on federal land and thereby discourage much-needed increased energy exploration.
Zinke (R-MT): This amendment would prohibit funds to implement proposed regulations to increase royalties on coal from federal lands. The federal government should not impose unnecessary barriers on coal extraction on public land.
Westmoreland (R-GA): This amendment would prohibit funds to pay attorney’s fees under “sue and settle” actions brought under the Clean Air, Clean Water, or Endangered Species Act. “Sue and settle” actions distort the normal regulatory process and leave taxpayers on the hook for attorney fees, often resulting in increased regulatory burdens.
Hudson (R-NC): This amendment would prohibit the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management from removing the proposed lease in the Mid-and South Atlantic from their draft 2017-2022 leasing plan, further limiting options for energy exploration.
Rouzer (R-NC): This amendment would prohibit funds to implement the Environmental Protection Agency’s performance standards regulation for new residential wood heaters, hydronic heaters, and forced-air furnaces, all of which will greatly increase heating costs for many consumers.
Roll call votes on the above amendments to H.R. 2822 will be included in our annual Rating of Congress and “Yes” votes will be considered the pro-taxpayer position.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Affairs Manager Nan Swift at (703) 683-5700