Congressman Platts Opposes H.R. 6

“For the last several years, I have been working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in leading efforts in Congress to strengthen our nation’s energy independence and decrease our reliance on foreign oil.  It was with great disappointment that I felt compelled to oppose the energy bill (H.R. 6) that was approved by the House of Representatives Thursday.  While this legislation included measures that I have long championed - such as raising fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks and increasing renewable energy usage – it also contained $21 billion in tax increases, almost three times the tax increase included in the original version of H.R. 6, and several “earmarks” and other programs that were completely unrelated to energy independence.  I urge my colleagues in the Senate to remove these provisions so both Houses of Congress can craft reasonable legislation that breaks this cycle of dependence on foreign energy and provides real economic and energy security for the American people.”