WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) delivered the following remarks at a press conference where House Republican Committee Leaders called for hearings on the Green New Deal. The leaders also sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) this morning urging her to direct the Democratic Chairmen of the committees of jurisdiction to schedule hearings on the Green New Deal.
Remarks as Delivered
Thank you, Mr. Leader, and good morning, everyone, and thanks for being here. We’re here for an important reason, and that is to hold Democrats accountable, to allow Congress to do its job.
We’re here today to call upon Speaker Pelosi to hold hearings on the Green New Deal, a plan that has become a central plank in her party’s platform. It’s billed as a solution for climate change, the Green New Deal threatens the entire United States economy and it stretches into every corner of American life.
From one-size-fits-all government-run healthcare to federal job and wage growth guarantees to federally-mandated building upgrades, to 100 percent zero-emission energy in just 10 years, and not only do we see this as unrealistic, we fear it can put the American dream out of reach for millions of Americans.
We’re not alone. The AFL-CIO thinks the same thing. That’s why these 11 Republican leaders from Committees that have jurisdiction over the Green New Deal have called on Speaker Pelosi, and her committee chairs, to do the right thing and that is hold hearings on this sweeping plan. The truth is House Democrats, the leaders, know exactly who won the debate inside their party. That debate inside their party, I think, is pretty much over. The socialist left, ran by Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez and Bernie Sanders, they won. And Speaker Pelosi and her lieutenants are hoping to paper over this growing gaffe.
I say, let’s let the American people have a say and a view on these policies. How Democrats should stand behind their proposals and give the American people the chance to learn what they are really about. Democrats and their allies dispute the various estimates that show the Green New Deal costs $93 trillion.
Then I say one thing: Prove it. Let’s see their numbers. Let’s hold hearings, let’s pull the curtain back, and let’s see where the socialist democrats stand on how the American people feel about the 22 percent increase in energy cost.
Frankly, I think, House Democrats are afraid to have this debate, in public and in the committees, as they know that sensible resolutions and proposals that Republicans have put forward are better. We’re all about innovation, conservative, adaptation, and preparation.
We’ve been about it in the Energy and Commerce Committee, certainly in the last Congress, and passed multiple bills that actually lead to reductions in carbon emissions and more affordable energy, not only for us, but for the world. We want clean air, clean water, and environmental protection, but those things do not have to be achieved at the expense of American workers, property and national security.
Vibrant energy sector competition and innovation have already produced significant carbon emission declines in the United States and emissions around the world, frankly, continue to rise, particularly in India and China.
So, Speaker Pelosi, please direct your committee chairs to hold hearings on this legislation. Republicans are ready and willing to continue to have serious solutions-oriented discussions about how to protect our environment and how to advance America’s prosperity.
