NTU urges all Representatives to vote “YES” on Rep. Garrett’s (R-NJ)amendment to H.R. 2354, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of2012. This amendment would save taxpayers roughly $500 million by eliminatingfunding for some of the more egregious examples of distortionary energy-policyschemes.
NTU previouslysupported an amendment proposed by Rep. McClintock (R-CA) that would go muchfurther in identifying and eradicating harmful intrusions into the energymarketplace. Unfortunately, those cuts were defeated by a vote of 96-313,raising serious questions about this Congress’ commitment to reducing wastefulenergy subsidies. Rep. Garrett’s amendment, though narrower in scope, providesa second change for Congress to demonstrate that it takes seriously the harmfulimpacts that our deficit and misguided energy policies will have on taxpayers.
The budget status quo is simply unacceptable. If all of theAppropriations bills pass out of the House at current levels, only $30.3 billionwill have been cut from next year’s deficit. That would mean that the sum totalof the proposed cuts, before going to President Obama or the Senate, is $8 billionless than was promised in the Continuing Resolution from last year. While any budgetreductions in a time of trillion-dollar deficits are welcome, these modest cutsin appropriations will hardly restore the kind of genuine fiscal responsibilitytaxpayers seek.
Roll call votes on Rep. Garrett’s amendment will be significantly weighted in our annual Rating of Congress and a “YES” vote will be considered the pro-taxpayer position.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Government Affairs Manager Brandon Greife at(703) 683-5700