Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017

Floor Speech

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Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment. Over the last few days, we have heard from our colleagues across the aisle that it is the market that is responsible for the downturn in coal, not this administration's regulations. But if you issue regulation upon regulation that completely overhauls the entire industry sector, is that really just the market at work?

Instead of acknowledging that it is the onerous regulations that play a big part in the problems impacting the coal industry, this administration has blamed coal's troubles on the market; and, incredibly, this has been what our friends on the opposite side of the aisle seem to agree with.

They are minimizing the devastating impacts of regulations like Office of Surface Mining's proposed stream protection rule.

So let me tell you about the real-world consequences: lost jobs, lost revenues, lost taxes, lost resources. The stream protection rule would reduce total recoverable coal by 65 percent. That means a decrease of $3 billion in coal taxes. Our towns and counties rely on the revenue to pay for schools, police, emergency services, and so much more.

A big drop in coal production means a big drop in good-paying jobs. Over 100,000 jobs are at risk because of this rule. Coal puts food on the table, pays the bills, and supports our families.

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Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Without the good jobs coal provides, families are having to make tough decisions, decisions that will impact these individuals' lives: How will they get their bills paid? How will they make their car payment or their house payment?

It is time we stand up for these hardworking miners, their families, and American energy. Therefore, I urge opposition to this amendment.

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