In each Congress, the majority party’s highest priority legislation is labeled as House Resolution 1 (H.R. 1), declaring it the most important issue facing America.
Last Congress, Democrats controlled the House, and their H.R. 1 was called For the People Act. It really should have been named For the Politicians Act because it was an attempt to radically transform our elections by taking election decisions away from the voters and giving more power to bureaucrats in Washington.
This bill, which thankfully never passed the Senate, would use taxpayer dollars to fund campaigns, legalize ballot harvesting, weaponize the IRS for political gain, and mandate felons be allowed to vote. It also would expand mail-in voting, mandate same-day registration, ban state voter ID laws, and fundamentally overhaul states’ authority to mandate elections.
It was a horrible piece of legislation, and I’m so thankful it never made it past the Senate and to the president’s desk for signature.
On the other hand, House Republicans have just introduced our H.R. 1 – the Lower Energy Costs Act. This bill, which is being led by my friend, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), has two main priorities: (1) increasing American energy production and (2) stripping away rules and regulations making it harder to build American infrastructure and grow the economy, plus it includes legislation I have worked on to mandate domestic oil and gas lease sales.
Our priorities could not be more different than the Democrats’, and I’m sure proud of that.
It’s no secret the Biden administration has waged war on American energy production and has delayed critical projects like the Keystone XL pipeline. As a result, all Americans are paying more for energy, and our nation is less safe as a result because we are now relying on dirtier energy from Russia and China.
House Republicans have a detailed plan to lower energy costs for all Americans, grow our economy, and get the federal government out of the way. The Lower Energy Costs Act will boost American energy production and fast-track permitting reforms that are needed to speed up construction to meet our infrastructure needs. It will also ensure we are not relying on China to meet our critical mineral needs.
Voters made their voices heard last November when they sent Republicans to Congress to put an end to Democrats’ anti-American energy agenda. Americans are paying about 40% more for their gas since President Biden took office, and House Democrats did nothing but add fuel to the fire.
The Lower Energy Costs Act will end the war on American energy, make us energy-independent again, and lower the costs of fuel for families who are struggling to make ends meet.
I look forward to this bill being on the House floor later this month.
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl represents Alabama’s First Congressional District. He lives in Mobile with his wife Tina.
