WASHINGTON, D.C. — A New York Democrat said Wednesday he knows what’s best for Wyomingites to avoid higher energy prices, and his remarks did not go over very well with U.S. Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer cited Wyoming as a state that will see higher energy prices if Republicans move forward with their tax and budget legislation in the U.S. House. The legislation would reduce — or outright rescind in some cases — various tax credits that prop up wind and solar power, as well as electric vehicles.
The GOP says former President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats are to blame for increased electricity and gasoline prices due to misguided climate change policies.
So, when Schumer tried Wednesday to hijack one of Republicans’ bedrock issues — affordable energy — Barrasso was having none of it.
“I had just come to the floor, listening to the minority leader talk about energy,” Barrasso said at the floor lectern.
“Energy,” an incredulous Barrasso repeated for emphasis.
“Know why he’s in the minority, and we’re in the majority?” Barrasso said with a raised voice, referring to the November election that swung the Senate. “It’s because of energy.
“Because Joe Biden, former president, told the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency, to prioritize the climate over energy that’s affordable, available and reliable.
“And they tried to shove electric vehicles down the throats of every man, woman and child in America,” Barrasso added. “That’s why they’re in the minority and we’re in the majority. People want affordable energy.”
Schumer: Higher Costs
Schumer was taking aim at Republican-led House legislation on the U.S. budget. At least two House committees have bills with energy-related provisions that might wind up in one final package to be considered by the full House and Senate.
The bills target subsidies for wind and solar power, which help generate electricity. EV credits are also in the crosshairs.
“What do Americans need to know? Republicans are raising taxes on Americans’ electricity,” Schumer said.
“To meet this ideological thirst to shut clean energy down, they’re going to raise your electric bills, Mr. and Mrs. America, all Americans, as much as 10 percent by next year.”
The minority leader continued: “States like Kansas, Missouri and South Carolina could see prices rise by 15%.Wyoming could see a nearly 30% increase in energy costs.”
He did not elaborate on the Wyoming figure, declining to explain if he meant electricity only or other supposed costs as well.
Unplanned Rebuttal
Barrasso noted Wednesday that many police officers from Wyoming were in the Senate gallery as part of National Police Week. The officers know, Barrasso said, that gasoline at home "is 50 cents a gallon cheaper than it was a year ago.”
The Wyoming senior senator's planned remarks were solely about National Police Week, recognizing the service and heroism of law enforcement across Wyoming.
But even though his remarks on energy were just an impromptu rebuttal, he is not short on practice.
The second-ranking Republican in the Senate, also a member of the chamber’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Barrasso frequently champions President Donald Trump’s agenda for increased oil, gas and coal production.
He is front and center on Congress's efforts to promote those energy sources, which are some of Wyoming's largest industries, and he is also the lead sponsor of Senate legislation to end EV tax credits.
Separate from that bill, he is leading a GOP bid to kill California’s EV mandate, which he says adversely affects the prices and availability of cars and trucks across the nation.
Sean Barry can be reached at sean@cowboystatedaily.com.
