Today, as the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to vote on the Democrats’ National Energy Tax Bill (H.R.2454), Republicans stood up for Rural Americans who will be disproportionately affected by this legislation:

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“This bill will destroy the livelihoods of those who live and work in rural America. Those who work every day to consistently provide our nation and the world with a safe, affordable, abundant food supply and fiber supply.” Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK)

“Even a small increase in operating costs could devastate rural farmers and ranchers and this bill could prove to be a huge burden on our agriculture producers. U.S. farmers would also be at a severe disadvantage compared to farmers and nations which do not have cap and trade systems with a correspondingly high input costs.” Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE)

“Rural and agriculture communities will be most affected by this bill forcing local agriculture producers to pay more for seed, equipment, machinery, steel and other supplies. If you like getting your oil from Hugo Chavez with cap and tax you are going to love getting breakfast, lunch and dinner for him too.” Representative George Radanovich (R-CA)

“While the Peterson amendment substantially improves the bill, at least modestly improves the bill, the end result is nothing but something that is disadvantageous, negative for rural economies.” Representative Jerry Moran (R-KS)

“This bill is a disaster. Let me explain who is opposed. Rural America is opposed to this bill. The manufacturing sector is opposed to this bill. Utilities are opposed to this bill. The transportation sector are opposed to this bill. Why? Because they believe democrats. They believe John Dingell when he says nobody in this country realizes that a cap and trade is a tax. And it's a very big one. They believe Barack Obama when he said, under my plan a cap and trade system, electricity costs would necessarily skyrocket.” Representative John Shimkus (R-IL)

“The majority would like us to believe that passing this legislation will benefit all Americans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Under this bill, energy producing states like Oklahoma will be economically punished and devastated. Residents in rural areas who must commute long distances to work will be disproportionately affected.” Representative Tom Cole (R-OK)

“This national energy tax is a job killer and will cost American families over $3,000 per year. While doing very little to affect global temperatures. Rural America, low and middle income families and our farmers will suffer the most under this new tax. Mr. Speaker, we all want to protect our environment, but we should accomplish that through innovation and investment, not by government micromanagement,” Representative Wally Herger (R-CA)

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