Brian Babin: “Like many of my Republican colleagues, I had what I believed to be an essential amendment ruled out of order. Simply…”

“Like many of my Republican colleagues, I had what I believed to be an essential amendment ruled out of order. Simply put, my amendment ensured that fossil fuel power generation systems were not left behind as we try to navigate a clean energy future. From schools to hospitals, too much of our critical infrastructure is currently dependent on the systems that we already have in place. No matter which side of the aisle you are on, you cannot argue against the fact that fossil fuels are the status quo right now and some of the very cheapest. But we don't get the chance. We will not have the chance to express that support today. Instead, we will get this Democrat dream sheet forcefully passed, only to then die with no Senate interest. We are missing a golden opportunity for bipartisan solutions. Rather than turn off the light switch and force our economy into a blackout-ridden future of renewable sources, we need to utilize what is still readily available to us. That is why I am supportive of carbon capture, utilization, and storage. I believe that, when developed, these technologies stand to only improve our fossil fuel power generation and even hold the potential to make it a clean energy source. But, as written, the legislation before us lacks a focus on critical basic research that will advance these technologies. Areas like advanced computing, manufacturing, and materials research will maximize our Nation's fossil fuel resources.…”