President Joe Biden has vowed to veto a GOP package that would increase energy production in the U.S.
The H.R. 1 Lower Energy Costs Act would help increase oil production domestically to decrease prices that have reached historic highs under the Biden administration.
White House Says Joe Biden Will Veto House GOP’s Energy Package https://t.co/IXRmhRe3i2
— Sam Collins (@SamTexan1986) March 28, 2023
"H.R. 1 (Lower Energy Costs Act) would double the cost of energy efficiency upgrades that families need to reduce household bills and would repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund that will cut energy costs and boost economic development in rural and urban communities across the country," the White House said.
"Therefore, if presented to the president in its current form, he would veto it," it added.
Kamala Harris says Americans are "recovering" from high prices because of "the measures our administration has taken to bring down the costs."
What? Inflation was 1.4% and gas was $2.39/gal when Biden took office. Inflation is 6% and gas is $3.43/gal today. pic.twitter.com/HWrU5vt3wI
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 27, 2023
“The Biden administration has kneecapped American energy production, and endlessly delayed critical infrastructure projects,” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said.
“Democrats’ misguided policies increased costs for every American and jeopardized our national security – and they’ve made the rest of the world more reliant on dirtier energy from Russia and China," he added.
Biden to veto Republican energy permitting bill, White House says https://t.co/6IReAf1rEO
— Mynameis...Miro (@zg4ever) March 28, 2023
Despite the House's plan to pass it, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the effort was "dead on arrival."
Some Democrats, such as Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), have shown interest in joining the GOP effort, however, making the situation more serious than Schumer has let on.
Biden's vow to oppose the bill has instead made a preemptive strike, showing that even if the bill passes that Congress would not have enough votes to override a veto.
Republicans are expected to push ahead with the effort regardless of the president's vow. The move could force Biden to make his veto promise a reality in a move that could be highly unpopular as he prepares to run for a second term.
The veto could also have negative consequences for other Democrats who support the bill as Americans grow angry at the climate change push that seems to only be hurting everyday citizens instead of helping with the immediate needs of the economy.