The following was received by me from my Representative concerning Cap & Trade. Notice the rambling democratic talking points and utter lunacy. He actually writes that Cap & Tax, I mean Trade, will actually produce a SURPLUS FEDERAL BUDGET. This guy needs to be checked for insanity.
Thank you Mr. Cleaver for the belly laugh today. I’d still be laughing if this legislation did not represent a real danger to our freedoms and way of life.
Read for yourself the utterly stupid rantings of a person clearly not in touch with reality.
Dear
Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R.2454 The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
As you may know, this legislation is designed to reduce carbon emissions by 17% by 2020, achieve energy independence, reduce pollution, and transition to a clean energy economy. A primary concern with H.R. 2454 is that it would result in a significant tax increase on the electrical and energy bills of American families. I assure you that I have worked tirelessly with members of Congress to protect consumers from rising energy costs. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this legislation reducing carbon emissions will cost Americans less than 30 cents per day. By the year 2020, energy bills will, in fact, cost the average American family less than they would without the legislation’s efficiency provisions. The program does this by freely distributing a portion of allowances in the cap and trade market to utilities, natural gas distributers and refiners to ensure that their rates to American families do not increase.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act takes significant steps to protect some of the poorest American families. Provisions are included to protect the bottom two quintiles of households from any energy cost increases, including distributing 15 percent of the allowances in the cap and trade market back to American families through direct payments and tax credits. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that these provisions will fully protect the bottom quintile of families and part of the next quintile from any direct or indirect energy price increases.
Concerns have also been raised as to whether H.R. 2454 will contribute to our nation’s deficit. This legislation is estimated to raise over $846 billion of revenue over the next ten years and will ultimately result in a $24 billion dollar federal surplus. Congress has worked with oil companies, labor unions, major manufactures and environmentalists groups on this bill to ensure that any legislation passed will be in the best interest of Americans, our environment, and our nation’s recovering economy.
An important aspect of this bill is its investment in America’s clean energy sector and pathways to careers for Americans. Almost $1 billion in funding for job training programs is provided in the bill, and it ensures local access to quality jobs in green construction. Millions of dollars are invested in energy efficiency and renewable energy, advanced technology vehicles, and basic research and development. This particular provision was very important to me, and I was proud to fight for the inclusion of these job training provisions because they not only provide needed jobs for American workers but pathways to life-long careers.
While H.R. 2454 is not perfect, it is a monumental step in our nation’s fight against climate change. The evidence in support of global warming is overwhelming and we simply cannot afford to continue delaying the consequences for future generations. As a member of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, I was proud to support this bill. It will set us on the path to energy independence, create jobs for millions of Americans, and provide a cleaner and safer environment.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act passed in the House of Representatives on Friday, June 26, 2009 with a vote of 219-212. The legislation must now be passed in the Senate before becoming law.
Again, thank you for sharing your views with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I may be of further assistance. Also, I encourage you to visit my website at http://www.house.gov/cleaver, where you can sign up for my electronic newsletter and receive updates on my latest activities as your Representative.
Sincerely
Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress
