June 26, 2009

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) today made the following statement regarding the U.S. House’s vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454). Altmire voted against this legislation, which passed by a vote of 219-212.

“I have long advocated for comprehensive energy legislation that will lower energy costs for American families and help us end our addiction to foreign oil. Unfortunately, this bill does neither.

“As our country struggles to recover from a severe economic recession, this legislation would raise energy prices for western Pennsylvania families. We need to focus on cultivating our abundant domestic energy resources and investing in alternative energies that will put our nation on a path to energy independence.

“From the very beginning of this debate, I made it clear that cap and trade is bad policy. Moving forward, I will continue to focus on expanding domestic energy production in a way that will create jobs, lower energy costs and help make America energy independent.”