Johanns Says Complex Climate Legislation Must Have Full Public Debate

Senator Mike Johanns today introduced an amendment to the budget to ensure complex and far-reaching cap-and-trade legislation would not be slipped into law using budget reconciliation.

Reconciliation is a legislative tactic that would prevent an open debate and full disclosure of the details of potential cap-and-trade legislation.

"This legislation could have profound consequences for every family across the country, and we must vote on this legislation with a full understanding all of the details. This cannot be done if budget reconciliation is used," said Johanns. "The House has now included these instructions in their budget, and if accepted by Congress, it would limit debate, transparency and thoughtful consideration of this sweeping legislation in the Senate. The public deserves to know the full price they will pay for flipping on a light switch if this legislation passes and the attempt to gloss over such details using procedural tactics is alarming."

Fast Facts about Budget Reconciliation:

• The House budget includes a placeholder, budget reconciliation, that would slip in a cap-and-trade proposal that has yet to be defined, debated or detailed.



• It is a legislative maneuver to bypass normal Senate procedures.
  




• It limits debate to 20 hours when most legislation has unlimited debate.



• It lowers the normal vote requirement from 60 votes to a simple majority in the Senate.



• It imposes guidelines on what amendments can be offered, which is not the case for most legislation.

Based on previous climate proposals, the likely effects of a cap-and-trade proposal are:




• Increased energy costs, construction costs, fertilizer prices, and also higher gas and diesel prices.



• The cost of corn production would go up by $40-80 an acre. ($3-7 billion for Nebraska Farmers)



• The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says the Environmental Protection Agency will have to spend $1.7 billion to hire 400 additional staff just to set up the program and write the rules.



• A $3,000 per year energy tax on every American family.

We applaud Senator Johanns for recognizing the impact that a cap and trade proposal would have on "everyone who uses a light switch". Read Johann's entire article by selecting this link.