The following is a written statement by Jill Lancelot, President of Taxpayers for Common Sense, on final passage of H.R. #6 – The Energy Policy of 2005:

Washington, D.C. – The passage of the $92 billion dollar, 1019-page energy bill is just further evidence that lawmakers are out of touch with the fiscal realities of our nation. All of the budgetary signs point to the need for fiscal discipline, but instead Congress continues to spend like drunken sailors. A reasonable person can only conclude that Congress simply isn’t serious about fiscal restraint despite the mountain of debt that is crushing our nation. It is time for fiscal discipline. The fuel gauge for the federal treasury is on empty and we cannot afford these outrageous giveaways to big energy.

It's no secret that energy lobbyists and their supporters have been trying for years to slip coveted tax breaks and subsidies into federal legislation. This legislation is a grab bag of subsidies, tax giveaways and pork for wealthy companies that is masquerading as energy policy. Energy lobbyists went drilling for dollars, and they struck black gold.

The bill is full of misguided policies from the past. By keeping the energy industry on the dole, the bill forces the federal government to pick winners and losers in the marketplace – all at taxpayer expense.

This bill is a carbon copy of old legislation that does very little to help with our nation’s energy challenges. We are encouraged by the President’s attempts to restrain the big spenders in Congress and we look forward to working with the administration and the Senate to put the energy bill on a diet as it moves through the legislative process.