Dem bid to end Trump energy emergency squashed after forced Senate vote
Senate Democrats failed to pass a resolution that would have reversed President Donald Trump’s executive order on “Unleashing American Energy” in a 53-47 party-line vote. The White House argued that scrapping the emergency would endanger nearly 900,000 jobs and have a negative $3.6 trillion impact. The order encourages domestic energy production on federal lands and nixed a Biden-era push to strive for more electric vehicles on the road.
The resolution was introduced by Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine and Martin Heinrich as they argued the emergency declaration made by the president would “benefit big oil” but harm Americans. “The Trump Administration is living in a fantasy land,” the Democratic senators stated. “Energy demand is high and only getting higher, which is why it’s great that America is producing more energy than at any other point in our history. Decreasing the supply of American-made energy when demand is high is the quickest way to raise prices—and that’s exactly what President Trump’s sham energy emergency will do.”
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., slammed the resolution as Democrats ‘trying to block common-sense measures” to tackle “painfully high prices.” “After four years of reckless regulations and restrictions, energy prices have jumped 31 percent. Families are feeling it all across the country. To most Americans, this is the definition of an energy emergency. To Senate Democrats, it’s an inconvenient truth,” he said in a floor speech.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., also criticized the Democrat effort, highlighting the importance of securing cheaper, more reliable energy for the nation. “If we don’t take action, we are going to be facing some very serious problems in the very near future, so I’m grateful to have a president who recognizes and acknowledges the energy emergency facing our nation.”
The Trump administration emphasized that ending the emergency would bring back Biden-era policies, which resulted in families spending an extra $10,000 in energy costs on average during Biden’s first two years. Estimates of liquefied natural gas (LNG) growth in the new administration were projected to bring in half a million jobs annually and boost U.S. GDP by $1.3 trillion through 2040, according to a study by S&P Global in December.
In conclusion, the failure of Senate Democrats to pass the resolution highlights the ongoing debate over energy policies and their impact on the economy and American consumers. The clash between the two parties underscores the importance of finding a balance between promoting domestic energy production and addressing environmental concerns.
