Rep. Scott Desjarlais Fights Socialist Agenda in Congress

Statement

Republican Study Committee Chairman Mike Johnson (LA-04) introduced a resolution to expose the Socialist policies of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal and to prove that fully implementing the proposal is clearly impossible.

The chairman's resolution highlights the exorbitant costs of the plan, the harm it would actually cause the environment, the exponential increase in energy costs that would be required of all U.S. households and businesses, and the Green New Deal's attempts to impose socialized medicine, public funds for those "unwilling" to work and big government provisions like "free" college for all.

The chairman's resolution has more than 50 original cosponsors.

CHAIRMAN JOHNSON RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"When we began the 116th Congress, most Americans had no idea how far to the radical left the new Democrat majority would attempt to push the country. The "Green New Deal' may be the most outrageous set of proposals ever presented in the U.S. Congress, and we have an obligation to expose this dangerous agenda for what it is and what it would mean for every American. Turning to full government control would erode our most fundamental freedoms, devastate our nation's economy and cause serious hardships for every person in this country. Conservatives simply will not allow that to happen."

REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS (TN-04) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"Although almost all of them will tell you they support the Green New Deal, a plan to socialize America's economy, no Senate Democrat voted for it when Mitch McConnell gave them the chance, and Democrats have so far refused to advance legislation in the House, where they're in charge for the time being. Their reluctance to embrace their own bad ideas is the perfect illustration of what would happen in reality. Political insiders and cronies would be exempt, while working Americans would bear the brunt of devastating taxes and regulation. Domestic energy, manufacturing jobs, economic growth and optimism are finally returning because of tax cuts and lighter regulation. We cannot allow an extreme, far-left agenda to destroy the progress this country is making."

REP. RALPH ABRAHAM (LA-05) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The Green New Deal is a socialist's wish list of absurd proposals rooted in fantasy and funded by raising your taxes. It deserves to be defeated."

REP. TONY BALDERSON (OH-12) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"Simply put, the Green New Deal is unfeasible. We need to work to find real solutions, not a farce like the Green New Deal that doesn't fix the problems it tries to tackle, and instead harms Americans in the process."

REP. BRADLEY BYRNE (AL-01) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"Despite running on kitchen table issues and moderate policy reforms, the new Democrats have swarmed to the left and embraced a radical socialism that would empower the government, not the people. Americans see through the Green New Deal and other Democrat proposals that foolishly promise the world if we would only give up some of our liberties and embrace radical environmental socialism. These policies must be exposed and rejected."

REP. ANDY BIGGS (AZ-05) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"There is nothing green about the Green New Deal; instead, it should be called the "Green Socialist Manifesto.' The Green New Deal is an attempt by the radical left to convert America's booming economy -- where people have choice and freedom -- into government coercion at every level of our lives. I thank Chairman Johnson for leading this resolution and for highlighting the importance of free market capitalism and private property rights."

REP. JOHN CARTER (TX-31) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"Not only is the Democrats' Green New Deal an unreasonable pipedream, it also saddles the American people with a $93 trillion price tag. People deserve to know where their representatives stand on this proposal that will greatly expand the federal government's role in their lives."

REP. MICHAEL CLOUD (TX-27) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"In order to face the environmental challenges that the future may bring, we need a thriving economy. The Green New Deal would cost trillions of taxpayer dollars and potentially devastate our economy. Simply put, it is not a good deal for the American people. Instead of socialist policies, we in Congress should look to states like Texas, where American companies are mindful of environmental impact while at the same time providing jobs for workers and families. We can and must advance protections to our environment while continuing to boost our economy."

REP. JEFF DUNCAN (SC-03) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The Green New Deal is a dangerous agenda that would have the government dictate every moment of our lives through a massive takeover of sectors of the economy. It's a socialist Trojan Horse, chock-full of programs that would cost $93 trillion and surely bankrupt our country. It's one disastrous leap towards limiting the freedom of the American people, and I'm glad the Republican Study Committee has been committed to exposing the truth of the Green New Deal."

REP. RON ESTES (KS-04) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The $93 trillion Green New Deal would be a massive government takeover of how we eat, travel and live. It would also bankrupt our country and decimate jobs in two of the largest industries in Kansas: agriculture and aviation. We need innovation and a thriving economy to protect our environment and climate, not government control and crushing tax increases. I support this resolution to highlight just how radical the Green New Deal really is."

REP. CHUCK FLEISCHMANN (TN-03) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The American economy is thriving under conservative, pro-growth policies, but would become crippled under big government, socialist proposals. That is why I cosponsored legislation led by my colleague, Chairman Johnson, to rebuke the socialist agenda masquerading as policy, also known as the Green New Deal. The goal of the Green New Deal, zero-emission energy production in 10 years, is not feasible. The Green New Deal would send American jobs overseas, threaten private property rights, and pass the onus of a $93 trillion price tag to the American taxpayers. In the midst of record-low unemployment and unprecedented economic growth, the last thing our nation needs is to erode this progress through a Green New Disaster."

REP. BILL FLORES (TX-17) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The United States has become the world's largest energy producer, and is already leading the world in carbon reduction, thanks to the principles of innovation, conservation and adaptation. When the Green New Deal was introduced, it was hailed as a "major watershed moment' to fix climate change. In reality, it is a package of unrealistic, job-killing, far-left policies that even Speaker Pelosi will not bring up for a vote. Hardworking American families must know the true cost of these socialist programs, many unrelated to climate change, and the damage these programs will inflict on our economic opportunity and national security."

REP. BOB GIBBS (OH-07) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"I would never have thought American policymakers would be extolling the virtues of socialism, yet here we are. Like the socialists of history's failed states, the proponents of the Green New Deal want to wield the power of government to control nearly every aspect of our economy, whether it is related to the climate or not. The Green New Deal ignores human nature and the value of the individual in a free economic system. The United States has led the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions since 2000. It wasn't done through heavy-handed government mandates or international treaties. It was driven by the innovation of new technologies. The provisions of the Green New Deal expose the root of the socialist agenda: that government is superior to the individual. Conservatives cannot allow that idea to be cemented in our culture."

REP. PAUL GOSAR (AZ-04) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"Let's call the Green New Deal what it is -- a socialist manifesto masquerading as a pro-environment proposal that seeks to fundamentally transform America. Included in the Green New Deal is a job guarantee, a housing guarantee, a healthcare guarantee and an education guarantee. We all want to protect the environment, but this expensive, soviet style takeover of our entire economy goes too far. I applaud Republican Study Committee Chairman Mike Johnson for his leadership and thank him for introducing a bill that spells out the costs and dangers associated with this flawed proposal estimated to cost hard-working families $650,000 per household in the first 10 years alone."

REP. MARK GREEN (TN-07) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"If passed, the Green New Deal would cause Americans' electricity bills to skyrocket -- up to 286% more per month. For some families, utilities and gas already take up 22% of their budget. 23% of Americans keep their home at a temperature unsafe or unhealthy to lower energy costs, and 19% of families had one of their members become sick as a result. Not to mention that the price tag of this legislation is $93 trillion dollars. Divided equally, that's $600k per household. Even if the top 1% paid that entire tab (they can't -- not even close), most American couldn't afford their electricity bills. We need more serious thinking in Congress."

REP. JODY HICE (GA-10) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"There are two competing approaches in addressing our country's challenges when it comes to climate change. In one approach, as designed by the Green New Deal, the federal government asserts control over most of our economy, passing along massive costs and bureaucratic inefficiencies to everyday Americans. In the other, our robust system of free enterprise rises to the challenge, tapping into our deep well of independence, ingenuity, and creativity. This is the approach that built our Nation and made us a land of opportunity for all, which stands in stark contrast to the failed socialist policies that have plagued other countries throughout history. I stand firmly behind the power of free enterprise, and I encourage a vote to let the American people know where their Members of Congress stand on such a radical policy."

REP. CLAY HIGGINS (LA-03) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The Green New Deal would destroy American jobs and economic prosperity. It's a socialist takeover of American society, and the underlying proposals have no basis in reality. Democrats are calling for total government regulation of the economy, elimination of the oil and gas industry, and restrictions on agricultural production. Those policies would cripple our economy and wipe out millions of American jobs. The Green New Deal is a dangerous plan, and it's reflective of the Democratic Party's shift toward socialism."

REP. DOUG LAMALFA (CA-01) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The Green New Deal is the latest, most dangerous attempt to impose radical socialist ideology on the American people. It's an affront to the very principles upon which our great nation was founded upon and has flourished under. It's a $93 trillion fantasy that no serious legislator would ever propose or consider. It would devastate our economy, handcuff American innovation, and destroy jobs in every state in America. We should be focusing on legislation that is actually grounded in reality and solves problems instead of this colossal waste of time."

REP. DEBBIE LESKO (AZ-08) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The notorious Green New Deal will change nearly every aspect of Americans' lives at an exorbitant cost estimated at $93 trillion. The American people deserve to know if their representatives stand with this far-left, socialist proposal that will devastate our economy and burden our children and grandchildren. That is why I am standing in strong opposition to the radical Green New Deal and cosponsoring Rep. Johnson's resolution that exposes the truth about what the Green New Deal really is."

REP. ROGER MARSHALL (KS-01) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"Rather than setting realistic goals to reduce carbon emissions and incentivize clean energy development, the Democrat's "Green New Deal' is nothing more than a rebranding of Socialistic control of every aspect of American life under the guise of "environmental responsibility.' This socialist proposal that Democrats are championing claims to create economic prosperity for all, but in reality, this "deal' would stick hardworking families with a dramatic increase in taxes, burdens, and government involvement in everyday life."

REP. PAUL MITCHELL (MI-10) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The Green New Deal is an unrealistic and unworkable proposal that stands in stark opposition to the economic freedom and pro-growth policies that have enabled the United States to thrive. It would impose an immense burden on taxpayers and would lead to significant job loss due to its massive overhaul or elimination of entire sectors of the economy. We can and must advance protections for our environment but pursuing increased government control over nearly every aspect of our lives is an absolute nonstarter. I stand with my colleagues in strong and adamant opposition to the Green New Deal."

REP. DAN NEWHOUSE (WA-04) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The Green New Deal refuses to acknowledge the success of existing renewable energy resources, like hydropower and nuclear. It also ignores the progress our nation is already making to reduce our carbon footprint. Instead, it proposes widespread detrimental "reforms' to U.S. industries that ignore our country's free market principles, threatening jobs and innovation. I am proud to join my colleagues in cosponsoring this resolution to declare -- once and for all -- that Congress will not allow the United States to become a socialist country or succumb to misguided, socialist agendas like the Green New Deal."

REP. DENVER RIGGLEMAN (VA-05) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"I am proud to co-sign Chairman Johnson's Green New Deal response resolution. The American people deserve to know where their representatives stand on this extreme and unreasonable environmental plan. It spends trillions of dollars on "planting trees' and "eliminating air travel.' This bill will make clear my opposition to the Green New Deal."

REP. PHIL ROE (TN-01) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"I strongly support commonsense reforms that will leave our children and grandchildren a healthier planet. I've worked as Mayor of Johnson City, TN on solutions that improve the environment, save taxpayers money and help create jobs. Unfortunately, the Green New Deal isn't about helping the environment -- it is a rejection of capitalism and a true embrace of socialism. The so-called "Green Dream' guarantees everyone a job regardless of willingness to work, forces people into labor unions, and requires us to rebuild perfectly sound buildings and infrastructure. I am proud to be a cosponsor of Chairman Johnson's resolution to rebuke these nonsensical socialist ideas."

REPUBLICAN WHIP STEVE SCALISE (LA-01) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The Green New Deal is openly hostile to the American way of life. There must be a thorough accounting of the costs and dangers hidden in this radical legislation. Democrat proponents make plenty of empty promises, but will only deliver widespread unemployment, shockingly high consumer costs, and complete government dependence. We cannot allow this to become America's future. Rep. Mike Johnson is right to oppose the Green New Deal and I am proud to be an original cosponsor of his resolution."

REP. CHRIS STEWART (UT-02) RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

"The Green New Deal is an attempt to restructure our form of government, not an environmental plan. We all know we can't afford it. We all know it won't solve any problems. The only thing the Green New Deal would accomplish would be a shift toward socialism. Focusing on government funded health care, housing and higher education without a plan to pay for any of it proves that this idea is a fantasy. Pretending it is about protecting the environment is dishonest. If you buy the line that the Green New Deal will cure the world and make us all happier, I have some prime oceanfront property in Utah's 2nd district I would like to sell you."

Source