Today during floor debate on the CLEAR Act, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings (WA-04) emphasized the lost jobs, increased spending and higher taxes that would result from passage of the bill.  He also questioned why an “oil spill response bill” would include a $22 billion energy tax and $30 billion in spending if BP is 100% accountable for paying for the cleanup and damages.

“Let’s take two steps back and consider what Democrats are doing with this bill.  I believe BP is responsible for the Gulf oil spill and should be held 100 percent accountable for paying the costs of the cleanup and repairing the damages.  I believe Chairman Rahall agrees.  I believe everyone in the House agrees that BP’s responsibility is to pay for this and not the taxpayers.  So why does this supposed ‘oil spill response bill’ impose a $22 billion energy tax on Americans and increase unrelated spending by over $30 billion?  BP is supposed to pay, not taxpayers.  There shouldn’t be a new energy tax or billions in spending in this bill.  The fact is, Democrats are using this oil spill tragedy as an excuse for unrelated tax and spending increases.

While the bill will cost billions in new taxes and higher spending, the real toll is on potential lost jobs because of the actions of this bill.  American jobs will be lost and many will be sent overseas because of this bill.  Why is this being done to the people of the Gulf Coast?  The Gulf Coast has already taken a terrible economic hit.  By what measure do they deserve this Democrat Congress taking action on a bill that will inflict even greater economic pain and suffering?” 

Click here to read the full statement, as prepared for delivery.

Click here to watch the floor speech.

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