Green New Deal Is Bad for Texas

Yesterday I discussed the upcoming vote on the Green New Deal, which would have disastrous effects for Texas and the country. Excerpts of my floor remarks are below, and video can be found here.

We'll soon have an opportunity to vote on the Green New Deal.

There's been a lot of confusion about exactly what is in it and how much it would cost.

No plans on how to incentivize the research and development of new cleaner energy technologies, no specifics on how much it would cost.

The congresswoman from New York claimed that the Green New Deal would even include a government-subsidized life for those who are unwilling to work.

There is a long list of unanswered questions. But one thing we know about the Green New Deal is that it would be a bad deal for Texas. Our state has always embraced an all-of-the-above attitude when it comes to energy. Our people don't expect handouts, but they do expect opportunities that only come with economic and individual freedom.

The major part of our state's success is our thriving energy industry.

But if the authors of the Green New Deal get their way, oil and gas or all hydrocarbons will be off-limits.

When Senator McConnell announced his intent to bring this bill to the floor, well, things got a little strange.

The junior senator from Massachusetts, who introduced the resolution in the first place, referred to this announcement as sabotage.

I believe it’s important for us to have a discussion about smart ways to reduce emissions and lessen our environmental footprint.

But the way to do that is not through heavy-handed regulations or unrealistic goals to eliminate the fuel sources that we need. Nor is it about throwing in socialist government power grabs that only appeal to a radical wing of the other party.

The Green New Deal is bad for America, it's bad for Texas, and I urge my Democratic colleagues to stop this ideological race to the left. Start working with us on practical solutions that actually have a chance to become law.