Disapproving the Rule Submitted By the Department of Commerce Relating to ``Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord with Presidential Proclamation

Floor Speech

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Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this resolution because American solar companies need the delay on solar tariffs so that they can keep up with the American demand for clean energy.

If we repeal this delay with this CRA, the American solar industry could be hit with more than $1 billion--with a b, billion--in retroactive duties, taxes that would cause cancellations and supply chain issues, stall solar deployment, and set us back on our clean energy goals.

Look, we have already seen, just with the threat of these tariffs, a 30 percent decrease in solar deployment last year. Of course, we want to strategically decouple from China, I believe especially with their solar pieces, parts, and equipment. However, American solar companies need more time to adapt, adjust, and reduce Chinese inputs in solar panels.

I also realize that we need to do more to bolster our domestic solar manufacturing, but that is why we recently made significant investments for domestic credits. However, if we allow these retroactive tariffs to take place now, it would deprive our solar industry of the incentive to invest in our manufacturing projects at home.

That is why we need this delay, and that is why this delay was the right call, not just by this administration but it is also the right call so the American solar industry can catch up to our domestic demands, so Americans can continue to speed up their solar deployment, and America can continue to step up when it comes to the continued success of our economy and the future of our sustainability.

Mr. Speaker, that is why I urge a ``no'' vote on this CRA.

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