MOGOP Calls on Democrats to put Missouri first

JEFFERSON CITY—On Friday, Nancy Pelosi and Democrats in the United States House of Representatives will likely force vote on legislation that includes a massive hidden energy tax on Missouri families, farmers, and businesses. Buried in the 1,200+ page bill is language creating a “carbon cap-and-trade” scheme, which will drive up the price of energy, kill jobs, and act as a new tax on everyone who flips a light switch or drives a car. The Wall Street Journal today called it the “biggest tax in American history.”

“As our state faces the highest unemployment in a quarter-century, this massive energy tax comes at the worst possible time. We need to be creating jobs—not sending them overseas; lowering the cost of energy—not raising it; and reducing taxes—not increasing them,” said Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party. “Missouri’s Republican representatives will stand united against Nancy Pelosi’s harmful new job-killing, price-raising tax. I sincerely hope that the Democratic members of the delegation—Russ Carnahan, Lacy Clay, Emanuel Cleaver, and Ike Skelton—will recognize the burden this legislation places upon so many Missouri families and businesses.”

“By supporting the cap-and-trade energy tax, Democrats will be directly attacking Missouri’s two largest industries—agriculture and tourism—along with every business in the state,” said Smith. “And if Democrats say yes to Nancy Pelosi, they will be turning their backs on families across Missouri who will see their energy rates skyrocket and their jobs disappear.”

Earlier this week, the Missouri Public Utility Alliance estimated that electric bills could increase by 82% by 2030, but the group stresses that this optimistic estimate.

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