Contact:
Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov (202)224-9797
David Lungren David_Lungren@epw.senate.gov (202)224-5642
Boxer Says Goal is to "Soften the Blow" from Cap-and-Trade
Admits That Cap-and-Trade Will Hurt Jobs, Families, Consumers
Washington, D.C. – During a hearing today in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA.), chairman of the committee, said that her goal is to “soften the blow” of cap-and-trade legislation, implicitly acknowledging that cap-and-trade will harm the economy.
“The biggest priority is softening the blow on our trade sensitive industries and our consumers. I just want you to know that, that’s the goal,” Sen. Boxer said. In response, Harry Alford, president of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, dismissed claims that the government could redistribute revenues from cap-and-trade to “soften the blow” on the poor, the elderly, those on fixed incomes, and consumers. “Madam Chair, I will do that, I have been around the block a few times. People are not going to get that refund, it’s not going to hit them, people are going to be unemployed, and they are not gonna have any recourse whatsoever, the government will have failed them again.”
“I’m glad Sen. Boxer admitted today that cap-and-trade will impose economic harm on America’s consumers, families, and our manufacturing sector,” Sen. Inhofe said. “She claims she can ‘soften the blow’ by promising government checks for those who lose their jobs because of this legislation, or for those who are paying higher electricity bills. Yet with cap-and-trade, Washington will tax hard-working Americans, put them out of work, and then cut them a check to help ‘soften the blow’. That’s not the way to create jobs, grow the economy, or strengthen energy security. It will sap American families of their livelihood and cause great damage to our economy.”###
