Boswell Announces Bipartisan Plan to Create Jobs, Increase Energy Independence

Press Release

Today, Congressman Leonard Boswell joined with the Bipartisan Energy Working Group to announce a comprehensive strategy to create American jobs, update our crumbling infrastructure, and increase American energy independence.

"As I stood with my colleagues today to unveil the Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act in front of the Capitol, I was enthused at the diversity of Members supporting this legislation -- Democrats, Republicans, Freshmen, Midwesterners, and more. This is the type of bipartisan collaboration that Americans have been asking of Washington," said Boswell, an original co-sponsor of the bill. "This common-sense legislation helps us to transition to be an energy-independent nation, while rebuilding our roads and bridges. It creates good-paying American jobs that cannot be exported. This Act is a well-rounded approach to making sure our economy keeps growing and we stay competitive worldwide."

The Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act harnesses America's vast natural resources by allowing the safe, responsible expansion of offshore oil and gas exploration. The legislation dedicates the $2.2 to $3.7 trillion in new federal revenues from offshore energy production to create jobs, cut the deficit, invest in clean coal and nuclear technology, clean up our environment, increase renewable and alternative energy sources, and rebuild our crumbling highways and bridges. The only bipartisan plan introduced in the House, it will create 1.2 million new jobs annually and $8 trillion in economic output without raising taxes.

U.S. offshore resources are enough to replace oil imports from Venezuela and Saudi Arabia for the next 80 years and enough clean natural gas to fuel American industry for the next 63 years, yet remain largely untapped due to the Administration's effective moratorium on expanded exploration. Meanwhile, unemployment remains at 9% and our national infrastructure needs an estimated $2.2 trillion for repair. The Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act uses American resources to create American jobs and take back our energy destiny from potentially hostile overseas governments.

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