[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16983]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SULLIVAN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 7, 2009

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to state for the record that I 
was on an official leave of absence from the U.S. House of 
Representatives on the account of illness and unable to vote on 
rollcall vote 477 to H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security 
Act of 2009. Had I been present for this vote, I would have voted 
``nay'' as the bill represents a partisan step in the wrong direction 
and a massive energy tax on the American people.
  I was pleased to vote against H.R. 2454 when it was considered before 
the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Like many Americans, I believe 
that we have a shared responsibility to work to ensure clean air, clean 
water and a healthy environment for today but also for future 
generations. However, we also know that the national energy tax 
proposal which passed the House is not the way to do it. Being good 
stewards of our planet should not be a partisan issue; it is something 
that benefits us all.
  As I have said from the start, H.R. 2454 is nothing more than a 
backdoor attempt to implement a massive national energy tax that will 
result in higher energy prices, less jobs, and a greater dependence on 
foreign sources of oil. The oil and gas industry employs 1.8 million 
people across the nation and represents a large portion of the economy 
in my district. I cannot support any bill that will eliminate these 
jobs or ship them overseas.
  I also remain deeply concerned that the bill, if enacted into law, 
will force American manufacturers and other energy intensive industries 
to relocate to other countries such as China or India. These counties 
are not subject to limits on greenhouse gas emissions, and H.R. 2454 
would place the United States at a competitive disadvantage.
  Families and small businesses already are struggling during this 
recession, and increasing their direct and indirect energy costs to the 
tune of thousands of dollars per year will only make matters worse. 
Given our troubled economy, Congress should reject plans for a national 
energy tax through this deeply flawed bill and work across party lines 
on a plan to create jobs, lower energy costs, and establish a cleaner, 
more reliable energy future.

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