HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner

Washington, Jun 4, 2008 - As the United States Senate continues to debate climate change legislation that triggers costly energy tax increases and new Washington mandates, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today challenged Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to schedule for floor consideration an even more far-reaching and more costly global warming bill authored by Select Committee on Energy Independence Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA), as she has promised since the beginning of the 110th Congress. 

While Boehner is staunchly opposed to the Markey legislation, which would raise gas prices even further at a time when they already are nearing $4 per gallon nationally, he affirmed to the Speaker that debating the bill on the House floor would provide Republicans and Democrats an opportunity to offer their respective energy solutions to the American people.  Boehner noted that while House Democrats still have not revealed the “commonsense plan” to lower gas prices they promised in 2006, House Republicans have introduced a comprehensive plan to lower gas prices and achieve energy independence – a blueprint that stands in sharp contrast to the Markey bill, which would drive gasoline prices even higher. 

Following are key excerpts and the full text of Boehner’s letter to Pelosi:

“I write to you today regarding Select Committee on Energy Independence Chairman Ed Markey’s (D-MA) introduction of his long-awaited legislation aimed at reducing the level of carbon in the air by imposing new taxes on emitting it.  Based on his comments last week, Chairman Markey’s legislation is expected to be much more far-reaching – and much more costly – than the legislation the Senate is debating this week.  Make no mistake: House Republicans support responsible climate change policies that will protect our environment, advance our energy security, and create more American jobs.  But in both cases, Chairman Markey’s bill and the Senate bill amount to large tax increases that would impact virtually the entire economy and would saddle consumers with even higher energy costs.  I believe this approach is not only inadvisable; it is reckless and inappropriate…

“While I disagree fervently with the logic of raising energy costs while consumers already face astronomical prices for gasoline, I respect your prerogative as Speaker to follow through on your promise and schedule a vote on the bill.  And frankly, I welcome the debate.  At a time when families are reconsidering their summer travel plans because of the record-high gas prices, I believe there is no clearer distinction between the two parties in Congress than on this issue.”