Climate Action Now Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Chairman, at the heart of America's economic prosperity and unrivaled security is an abundant, affordable and reliable supply of domestic energy.

The lion's share of America's energy supply, nearly 90 percent, comes from fossil energy resources, and the hardworking energy producers of West Texas are leading the way. This is thanks to the great American work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and drive for innovation.

In the Permian Basin in West Texas, we went from producing a million barrels of oil a day in 2012 to four million today, and we are on a path to producing 8 million barrels a day within just a few years.

The blessings of these natural resources have allowed us to become the most powerful and prosperous nation on the face of the planet. It has allowed us to build the largest middle class in the world; helped us to produce the new technologies and innovations that have improved the quality of life and given us the highest standard of living in the world.

It has been the lifeblood of this land of opportunity, where we now have more jobs than we actually have people to fill them.

Having an abundant supply of energy doesn't just fuel this economy. It also is an overwhelming advantage in terms of national security. Energy independence gives us choices that many nations would be envious of. It allows us to export that same freedom to our allies and to democracies around the world.

Forcing our President to stay in this terrible deal would undermine many of those advantages, and it would penalize the American people, and cost hundreds of billions of dollars. It would cost us millions of jobs.

At best, the Paris Agreement is a feel-good-do-nothing political window dressing, at best. At worst, it is a tax on the middle and working class. It is a millstone around the neck of our job creators. And it is a gift to our enemies, and we must oppose it.

It would punish the American people. It would punish our children and their future in this country.

Look, I want responsible stewardship of the environment, like everybody in this Chamber. And I want clean water and clean air for my kids. But I also want them to grow up in the safest, strongest, freest nation in the world.

The irony of this discussion is that the United States is leading this debate. We are leading in our actions.

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Mr. ARRINGTON. The irony is the innovations and technology that created the shale revolution have already resulted in significant reduction in carbon. Since 2000, the U.S. has led the way by cutting emissions by almost 20 percent.

We need policies that are not hostile to America's main source of energy. Instead, we should put forth solutions that encourage the continued development of all energy resources, while setting high and responsible standards for environmental quality and human health. And we should carry out this mission in partnership, not in hostility, in partnership with States and industry.

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