H.R. 2 has lost its way becoming the latest vehicle for Green New Deal policies
WASHINGTON DC (June 30, 2020) – Today, the American Energy Alliance (AEA) voiced its opposition to H.R. 2, the “Moving Forward Act”, a $1.5 trillion infrastructure package currently under consideration before the U.S. House of Representatives. What traditionally serves as a bipartisan effort for highway funding has taken a wrong turn and morphed into a limousine of green goodies focused more on moving special interests forward than improving America’s infrastructure.
AEA pointed to public opinion polling confirming that climate change remains at the bottom with voters in respect to both priority, and willingness to pay, voicing concern for the economy over everything else – especially during uncertain times created by the spread of COVID-19. Yet efforts to prop up expensive, failing products and energy sources with subsidies for electric vehicles (EV), windmills and solar panels, continue to be added in. It is clear that Democrats will look to whatever vehicle is before them to push Green New Deal proposals.
AEA continues to oppose EV and renewable energy tax extender and expansions which only benefit the wealthiest and the rent-seeking industries who swear they’re economic while continuing to demand access to taxpayers’ and ratepayers’ wallets. The organization has repeatedly reminded lawmakers that 78.7 percent of the EV tax credits went to households with an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or higher, and more than half went to households with an adjusted gross income of more than $200,000. Additional polling shows that a majority of Americans don’t believe taxpayer money should go towards paying for other peoples’ cars. Voters’ sentiments against paying for other’s electric vehicles especially sharpen when they learn nearly 50 percent of all subsidies are going to California.
Democrats have also shared no mechanism (or explanation) as to how to pay for the $1.5 trillion bill.
AEA will use its Energy Scorecard to highlight those that vote for this misguided plan, and if ever passed by the U.S. Senate, recommends a veto from President Trump.
Kenny Stein, Director of Policy and Federal Affairs for the American Energy Alliance, released the following statement against H.R. 2:
“With the spread of COVID-19, is now the time for $100 billion in mass transit? Or $75 billion for the first phase of the Green New Deal? Or unnecessary tax extenders for failed products and inadequate energy sources? Once again, Democrats have signaled how desperate they are to reward the extreme green left for their loyalty by prioritizing giveaways for special interest over citizen’s needs.”
“American voters are concerned with the economy right now, not the Green New Deal. H.R. 2 lost its way from the beginning when it shut out one side from contributing recommendations on how to support and improve America’s infrastructure and shows that Democrats are out of touch with working people and the economy.”
Additional Resources
- MWR Strategies Polling: American Voters Concerned about Economy, Not Climate
- Coalition to Senate Leaders: Put the Brakes on Electric Vehicle Subsidies
- Press Release: Voters to Congress: Make a U-Turn on Special Vehicle Preferences
- American Energy Alliance’s Energy Scorecard
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