Scott Votes Against the Polluters Over People Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after House Republicans passed H.R. 1, appropriately re-named the “Polluters Over People Act”:

“Last Congress, House Democrats passed legislation to crack down on price gouging at the pump and enacted the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the largest federal investment in combatting climate change in history. The IRA helps lower families’ energy bills by offering tax credits and rebates on everything from electric vehicles to heat pumps. In addition to lowering energy costs for families, the IRA and other actions by the Biden-Harris Administration are projected to slash emissions by 40 percent from 2005 levels and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Climate and environmental provisions in the IRA are also expected to create 9 million jobs.

“Unfortunately, instead of building on this progress, our Republican colleagues have advanced their Polluters Over People Act which does nothing to lower costs for families and attempts to give the oil, gas, and coal industries more control over environmental reviews for their projects. The bill would undo core emissions reduction programs in the IRA. It would also weaken safety and environmental standards that keep our air, water, and communities safe. I am particularly concerned that the legislation would weaken laws, like the National Environmental Policy Act, that ensure communities have an opportunity to influence major projects that impact them, including pipelines and offshore drilling projects.

“I have the honor of representing Hampton Roads, which is on the front lines of sea level rise. We need to build on existing legislation that supports clean, secure, and affordable American energy and protects environmental and public health. Instead of taking the climate crisis seriously, the Polluters Over People Act would take us in the wrong direction by prioritizing fossil fuel profits over the health and well-being of communities.”

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