Top E&C Democrats Blast Energy, Environment, Spectrum, and AI Provisions Included in Republican Reconciliation Bill
Washington, D.C. – Today, Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Members blasted the energy, environment, spectrum, and artificial intelligence provisions included in the Republican budget reconciliation bill ahead of tomorrow's markup:
Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Kathy Castor (D-FL) on the energy provisions:
“Giving giant tax breaks to billionaires while increasing electric bills for American families is wrong. Republicans are sacrificing America’s energy dominance while setting up a ‘pay to play’ scheme for polluters to bribe the Trump Administration to obtain energy permits. Cleaner, cheaper energy for consumers gets left behind. Dismantling our landmark Inflation Reduction Act will kill jobs, hurt businesses, and drive-up Americans’ energy costs.”
Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) on the environmental provisions:
“At the same time House Republicans are trying to take health care from millions of Americans, they’re also pushing to pollute our environment, making communities and families sicker and our air dirtier. The Republican budget bill will also bring more chaos and uncertainty to the auto manufacturing industry while jeopardizing jobs and innovation and giving China a giant leg up in the transition to a clean energy economy.”
Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Doris Matsui (D-CA) on the spectrum provision:
“This hyper-partisan reconciliation bill throws our bipartisan efforts on spectrum auction authority in the trash. Instead of directing spectrum auction funds to fund life-saving grants like Next Generation 911 or to make high-speed internet more affordable for American families, Republicans would rather funnel more tax breaks to billionaires.”
Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) on the artificial intelligence provision:
“The Republicans’ 10-year ban on the enforcement of state laws protecting consumers from potential dangers of new artificial intelligence systems gives Big Tech free reign to take advantage of children and families. It is a giant gift to Big Tech and once again shows that Republicans care more about profits than people. This ban will allow AI companies to ignore consumer privacy protections, let deepfakes spread, and allow companies to profile and deceive consumers using AI. After stopping comprehensive national privacy from passing last year, Republicans are going after states and leaving consumers unprotected online.”
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