House Republicans are consolidating their legislative efforts into one expansive bill, aiming to address energy, tax and border policies while sidestepping procedural hurdles.
Garrett Downs reports for E&E News.
In short:
- Republicans plan to streamline permitting reform and energy policy into a single reconciliation bill, focusing on revenue-generating projects like oil and gas leases and repealing clean energy tax breaks.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson set an aggressive timeline to deliver the bill to President-elect Donald Trump by April, prioritizing energy independence, tax cuts and border security.
- GOP leaders are strategizing to use reconciliation rules to bypass Senate opposition, emphasizing revenue-driven initiatives, despite challenges balancing conservation spending and climate-related guardrails.
Key quote:
“I don’t think there’s any question that energy is going to be where we’re going to get a big pay-for.”
— Rep. Kevin Hern, Republican Policy Committee chair
Why this matters:
Tax cuts and drilling revenue might look good on paper, but slashing clean energy incentives risks derailing the country’s already fragile progress on climate-warming emissions reductions. As the clock ticks, expect battles over climate safeguards, conservation funding and what “energy independence” really means in an era of escalating climate risks.
Read more: The real scam — rail against renewables, run away with factories
