Republicans push sprawling bill to unleash American energy

House Republicans are set to approve a comprehensive energy package seeking to ease restrictions on oil and gas production imposed to address climate change, according to AP news published on Thursday.

The proposed bill, named the Lower Energy Costs Act, is to boost production of minerals used in electronics. Furthermore, it would increase local production of oil and other fossil fuels. It would also relieve restrictions imposed on mining and refining projects, the Associated Press added.

One of the bill’s authors and Republicans leader, Steve Scalise said the country owns sufficient resources which should be unleashed.

If these resources were fully utilized, Scalise mentioned, they would expunge American dependency on  hostile nations to provide it with energy. “Families are struggling because of President Biden’s war on American energy,″ House majority leader stated.

On the other hand, Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy expressed his party’s disappointment with Republicans “do the bidding of their polluter friends.” Pallone contrasted the proposed Act with “historic climate legislation” passed by the Democrats.

House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy said the GOP bill “restores American energy leadership by repealing unnecessary taxes and overregulation on American energy producers.”

McCarthy referred to the bill responding to the needs of the American majority: lower prices and more U.S. energy production.

To the contrary, Raul Grijalva, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee said the GOP proposal would enable firms to “destroy sacred and special places” since it “makes mockery of tribal consultation federal laws require.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer perceives the Act to be “setting us back more than a decade on our transition to clean energy.” Additionally, American President Joe Biden threatened to veto the energy bill if it reaches his desk.