Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), two House committee chairmen, unveiled what they are calling their “discussion draft” on cap-and-trade legislation, that is, the energy tax and rationing bill.
They are certainly on message, the “jobs” message, that is. From the news release, “Chairmen Waxman, Markey Release Discussion Draft Of New Clean Energy Legislation“:
“This legislation will create millions of clean energy jobs, put America on the path to energy independence, and cut global warming pollution.” said Chairman Waxman. “Our goal is to strengthen our economy by making America the world leader in new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies.”
“This legislation will create clean energy jobs that can’t be shipped overseas, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and make America the global leader in energy technology. We will create jobs by the millions, save money by the billions, and unleash energy investment by the trillions,” said Chairman Markey, who held many hearings on the major issues in the bill. “Chairman Waxman and I will work with our colleagues to ensure that we are protecting American consumers and that our clean energy future helps all parts of the country.”
Hurricane Katrina created lots of jobs, too, albeit having first destroyed tens of thousands of them.
As for creating jobs — which we’re assuming includes jobs in the private sector — are the two chairmen persuasive bearers of the message? Rep. Markey was elected to Congress in 1976. Rep. Waxman was first elected in 1974 (although that date is not in his official bio). Sixty-six years of Congress between them.
More details on the legislation…
For commentary from the free-market, pro-economic growth side of the debate, we recommend the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s experts. Myron Ebell mentions jobs, too:
Representatives Waxman and Markey’s draft bill would raise energy prices through the roof and hurt poorer Americans the most. It would destroy tens of millions of good-paying jobs. Beyond these enormous economic costs, Waxman-Markey would put big government in charge of how much energy people can use. It would be the biggest government intervention in people’s lives since the Second World War, which was the last time people had to have rationing coupons in order to buy a gallon of gas.
April 8th, 2009 on 9:46 am
I think the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 is a potentially landmark first step to usher America into a powerful clean energy economy that will create millions of jobs for American workers, save consumers and businesses hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs, make our country energy independent, and limit global warming pollution. While very comprehensive, the bill, as presently written, still have areas that need further improvements to meet science-based goals to combat the threat of global warming in the immediate future. We must also ensure that workers in older industries that are highly reliant on carbon based energy – and the communities in which they’re concentrated – are provided with the assistance and tools necessary to make the transition to the clean energy economy. I ask Congress to continue to work to strengthen these provisions before it is voted on.