Speeches and Floor Statements

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), Vice Chair of the House Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC), this week delivered remarks during House floor debate on the Republican giveaway to oil companies, H.R. 1, commonly referred to as the "Polluters Over People Act." Beyer's remarks as prepared are below, remarks as delivered are available here.

Last week the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its synthesis report. 

In reminded us of how urgent it is that we transition to a zero-carbon economy.

We need new clean energy and we need it fast.

There is an opportunity for Congress to engage here on permitting and transmission so new clean energy projects can get up and running as soon as possible.  

But instead of a meaningful bipartisan conversation, HR 1 is a sad regurgitation of the Majority’s bill from the 115th Congress with attacks on the Inflation Reduction Act.

Transmission conversations are just totally absent.

This bill would repeal important programs to help Americans make their homes energy efficient.

These popular programs are already in motion to help families lower energy costs, and this bill will take them away.

HR 1 reduces the fees and royalties for oil and gas development, padding the pockets of the oil and gas at a time when their profits are at records highs.

This is not about energy prices for mom and pop, but profits for oil industry execs.

It seems on the one hand, Republicans are so concerned about the deficit that they are holding the economy hostage with their brinkmanship over the debt limit. 

Then on the other hand, they are bringing this partisan bill to the floor that the Congressional Budget Office says will increase the deficit by $2.4 billion dollars.

I implore my Republican colleagues to take the deficit seriously and pass a clean debt limit.

Take our energy needs seriously and work with us on supporting our transmission needs.

My Democratic colleagues and I are interested in discussions. 

My door is open when you want to get to work and move passed partisan messaging.

I yield back.