Cruz introduces legislation to repeal a tax on natural gas, Biden vows to veto
The bill would amend a section of the Clean Air Act that creates a fee for new methane emissions. Opponents say the tax would raise the cost of energy for consumers who are already struggling with inflation.
Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz has introduced a bill to repeal a natural gas tax that was included in the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.
The law allows the Environmental Protection Agency to impose fees to oil and gas companies whose methane emissions exceed limits, according to the Daily Caller.
Cruz's bill would amend a section of the Clean Air Act to remove the fee and has long odds for passage considering the Senate has more Democrats than Republicans and President Biden, a Democrat, has said he would veto the measure should it pass.
Opponents say the tax would raise the cost of energy for consumers who are already struggling with inflation.
“Raising costs during a time of massive inflation would be defined as insanity almost anywhere, but it’s business as usual for President Biden,” said Daniel Turner, founder and executive director for Power The Future, which advocates for energy workers.
The bill has 12 Republican cosponsors. In March, the GOP-led House passed a companion bill.