House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., drew a line in the sand on a carbon tax this week just as some are pushing to add climate change policies to the tax code.
Scalise introduced a nonbinding resolution in the House on Thursday, together with pro-coal Republican Rep. David McKinley of West Virginia, that opposes congressional support for a tax on carbon dioxide pollution.
“Working with President Trump, this Congress is leading America toward energy dominance and strong economic growth, yet some liberal Washington special interests continue to pursue a radical agenda that includes imposing a job-killing carbon tax, which would raise costs on everything we buy from electricity and gasoline to food and everyday household products,” said Scalise.
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He hopes to pass the resolution to put lawmakers on the record against the idea of passing a carbon tax, which would add a fee to fossil fuel producers. The idea of carbon tax has been discussed as an alternative to strict regulations on CO2, which many scientists say causes the Earth’s temperature to rise.
“The resolution I’m introducing … with Congressman McKinley would yet again put Congress on record against a carbon tax, which would result in massive job losses, lead to higher prices for American families and small businesses, and jeopardize America’s energy security,” Scalise said.
Liberal groups that Scalise said are behind an ongoing push for Congress to support a carbon tax include free-market groups like R-Street the Niskanen Center, which hold conservative-leaning economic principles, but that Republicans like Grover Norquist say are just liberals in disguise.
Alex Flint, one of the top carbon tax lobbyists in Washington, said Scalise’s introduction of the resolution is a sign that opponents are scared that the carbon tax folks are gaining ground.
“Those who oppose a carbon tax are rallying their defenses for a reason: they see supporters gaining momentum,” Flint said in a statement. Flint is the executive director of the Alliance for Market Solutions, which has the goal of getting conservatives to support a market-based solution for addressing climate change.
“A revenue neutral carbon tax that replaces burdensome regulations is a good, conservative idea,” Flint said. “It is much more efficient than regulations, and the revenue can be used to reduce other taxes and grow the economy. We recognize the politics today are difficult, but they are going to change.”
