Rep. Hurt Casts Vote To Expand Domestic Energy Production

Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Virginia) released the following statement today after voting in favor of the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act, a package of seven bills that will expand domestic energy production by limiting EPA regulations, expediting energy leasing on federal lands, and requiring relevant federal agencies to develop energy production plans that include fossil fuels in addition to alternative energy resources:

“For far too long, unemployment rates have remained unacceptably high and small businesses have struggled in Central and Southside Virginia while Washington has failed to enact a sensible energy policy. Adopting a commonsense domestic energy policy that increases supply at home by making use of American resources while reducing prices at the pumps is one of the most important things we can do immediately to fuel our economic recovery and create the jobs that Central and Southside Virginians need.

“That is why, today, the House has adopted the Domestic Jobs and Energy Act. This legislation will increase domestic oil production and get the people of the 5th District and Americans across this country back to work. It will reduce onerous EPA regulations that drive up the cost of fuel, put an end to permitting moratoriums which cause us to depend on foreign oil, and ensure that our domestic energy resources are being put to use while creating American jobs. And this legislation could create thousands of much-needed jobs in Virginia as it reopens leasing permits for oil and natural gas exploration off the Commonwealth’s coast that have been on hold for the past three years – driving up costs and stifling job creation. The Domestic Jobs and Energy Act is one measure of many that the House has adopted to move our country forward.

“Where the President fails to lead on this issue, it is my hope that the Senate will step in and work with the House to adopt this commonsense legislation. We must act now to increase our domestic supply to meet our domestic demand, give us lower and more stable fuel prices, create new jobs, and give us freedom from dependence on foreign energy resources.”