Energy and Infrastructure
The reaction among Texas leaders to President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement largely fell along partisan lines.
Trump declared Thursday that he was withdrawing the United States from the landmark agreement, striking a major blow to worldwide efforts to combat climate change and distancing the country from many allies abroad.
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth:
A continued government role in oil and gas research and development drew bipartisan support at a May 3 hearing of the US House Science, Space, and Technology subcommittee. But Democrats and Republicans disagreed about the scope and direction of US Department of Energy programs that they were defending.
Members generally agreed with witnesses at the hearing that well-funded, early-stage government energy R&D programs can help produce energy technology breakthroughs, even when they are not apparent at the outset.
CAN WE CAUCUS? Texas Rep. Marc Veasey circulated a "dear colleague" letter Tuesday seeking new members for the bipartisan Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery Caucus. "The United States can become a global leader in the deployment of carbon capture technologies and the expansion of infrastructure to support these projects," the letter states.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, will hold a panel discussion in observation of Black History Month entitled, "Closing the Gap: African Americans in Energy." The panel will discuss the challenges and opportunities for African Americans in the energy sector. Additionally, the discussion seeks to educate Members, staffers, stakeholders and students pursuing STEM degrees or jobs in the energy industry, examine current energy policy issues and offer an outlook for the 115th Congress.
WHO:
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, released the following statement after voting in favor of S. 612 – Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, a conference report that authorizes various water infrastructure projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
Dallas / Fort Worth, TX - Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, released the following statement after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced $16 million in new Zika funding would be distributed to 40 states and territories with $720,000 in new funding dedicated to the state of Texas:
Texas Republicans on Obama’s proposed oil tax: Not going to happen
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama’s $4.1 trillion budget for fiscal year 2017 did not find a welcome reception from Texas Republicans, who denounced a proposed $10-a-barrel tax on oil that would fund clean-energy transportation projects.
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A handful of Texas Democrats backed Barton's push: U.S. Reps. Ruben Hinojosa of Edinburg, Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston, Beto O'Rourke of El Paso, Marc Veasey of Fort Worth and Filemon Vela of Brownsville.
"I wish that he wouldn't veto the bill, but we'll have to wait to see what happens," Veasey said of Obama's threat. "Energy security is very important."
Two noteworthy Democrats, however, did not support the repeal.
Four of the 20 Texan co-sponsors are Democrats, including Fort Worth Rep. Marc Veasey, who said the bill will have an outsized impact on Texas.
"This bipartisan bill grows our Texas and national economy while simultaneously positioning the United States as a global supplier of energy," said Veasey in a statement. "Texas is leading our country in energy production and we should be working towards strengthening our nation's energy independence and lowering costs at the pump for our families and businesses."