This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
Turn to the nation's most objective and informative daily environmental news resource to learn how the United States and key players around the world are responding to the environmental...
By Dean Scott
House Republican leaders this week are seeking to essentially force members to say whether they oppose or support a carbon tax, throwing a spotlight on the debate several months before the midterm elections.
The vote comes as Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), one of the leaders of of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, is working on a carbon tax bill that could call for using a significant portion of the proceeds for infrastructure, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
“The bulk would go to the Highway Trust Fund and infrastructure,” said one source who has been briefed on the bill and who spoke on condition of anonymity, saying it would amount to a “tax swap” that the carbon tax would effectively replace the federal gas tax.
A staff-level briefing was slated for late July 16 on the bill, according to multiple sources, but Curbelo’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment on when he’ll introduce the measure.
Some portion also could be dedicated to increasing incentives for carbon capture and storage, clean technology, and assistance for low-income families to shield them from being affected by an uptick in energy costs related to putting a price on carbon, sources said.
The battle over the carbon tax resolution meanwhile is likely to be a replay of a successful 2016 floor vote on a resolution—offered then and now by House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.)—opposing a tax on carbon emissions as harmful to the economy. The “sense of Congress” resolution (H. Con. Res. 119) isn’t legally binding because it doesn’t go to the president for his signature.
That 2016 resolution passed 237-163, with all Republicans backing it. The vote was a disappointment for environmental advocates who had pushed members of the Climate Solutions Caucus, particularly Republicans, to take tough stands on climate issues on the floor.
The new Scalise resolution goes before the House Rules panel July 17 and is expected to be voted on the floor this week.
While it’s expected to once again pass, environmental groups will be watching to see how Republicans facing tough re-election battles vote on the measure, Andres Jimenez, senior director of government affairs for the Citizens’ Climate Lobby environmental group, told Bloomberg Environment.
The resolution is being watched particularly as a test vote for members of the Climate Solutions Caucus, which now has 86 members, with equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats.
Opponents of a carbon tax, including powerful conservative lobby groups like Americans for Tax Reform, argue it would cause energy prices to climb, raise unemployment, and reduce purchasing power and wages.
Since the 2016 vote, several Republican groups have formed to make a case in favor of a carbon tax. They cite polls showing that a majority of Republican voters are concerned about climate change and want government to act, and that it would let markets instead of government allocate resources, stimulate innovation, and encourage capital investment.
All Bloomberg BNA treatises are available on standing order, which ensures you will always receive the most current edition of the book or supplement of the title you have ordered from Bloomberg BNA’s book division. As soon as a new supplement or edition is published (usually annually) for a title you’ve previously purchased and requested to be placed on standing order, we’ll ship it to you to review for 30 days without any obligation. During this period, you can either (a) honor the invoice and receive a 5% discount (in addition to any other discounts you may qualify for) off the then-current price of the update, plus shipping and handling or (b) return the book(s), in which case, your invoice will be cancelled upon receipt of the book(s). Call us for a prepaid UPS label for your return. It’s as simple and easy as that. Most importantly, standing orders mean you will never have to worry about the timeliness of the information you’re relying on. And, you may discontinue standing orders at any time by contacting us at 1.800.960.1220 or by sending an email to books@bna.com.
Put me on standing order at a 5% discount off list price of all future updates, in addition to any other discounts I may quality for. (Returnable within 30 days.)
Notify me when updates are available (No standing order will be created).
This Bloomberg BNA report is available on standing order, which ensures you will all receive the latest edition. This report is updated annually and we will send you the latest edition once it has been published. By signing up for standing order you will never have to worry about the timeliness of the information you need. And, you may discontinue standing orders at any time by contacting us at 1.800.372.1033, option 5, or by sending us an email to research@bna.com.
Put me on standing order
Notify me when new releases are available (no standing order will be created)