The House passes anti-carbon tax resolution: CEI analysis

Today, the House voted in a bipartisan manner to approve a concurrent resolution “expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy.” CEI Director of the Center for Energy and Environment and Senior Fellow Daren Bakst provides his analysis of the resolution’s passage.

“Passage of this important resolution (H. Con. Res. 86) in a bipartisan manner makes it perfectly clear that the House rejects a carbon tax. This is especially important as some Senators, including a handful of Senate Republicans, are trying to advance carbon tax legislation, including the PROVE IT Act (S. 1863). This is a bill that the conservative and free-market community has strongly opposed.

“The PROVE IT Act itself doesn’t authorize a carbon tax, but it sets in motion the process that will inevitably lead to a carbon tax. Specifically, it creates the detailed administrative framework measuring the carbon intensity of domestic and foreign goods that is required for both a carbon tax on imported goods and a domestic carbon tax. Since 2021, about half of the PROVE IT Act sponsors have also sponsored legislation imposing a carbon tax on imports, a domestic carbon tax, or both.

“The legislators who voted in favor of this anti-carbon tax resolution should be commended. If they act consistently with their vote today, they will strongly oppose any carbon tax-related legislation, including the PROVE IT Act. That’s good news for Americans who don’t want Congress imposing massive new taxes, driving up prices, or punishing energy use.”