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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), who serves as the Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, released the following statement ahead of managing floor debate and voting no on the “Inflation Expansion Act.”

“Despite this bill’s misleading name, this legislation will have a negligible to no impact on reducing the sky-high inflation our country has seen under the Biden Administration, which is costing Kentucky households more than $7,000 a year. It will raise taxes during a recession to pay for far-left Green New Deal policies, such as green garbage trucks, and Americans making under $400,000 are expected to fork over at least half of the new tax revenues generated from this bill next year.

“I’m further disappointed this bill prioritizes hiring an army of new IRS agents to give the IRS the ability to squeeze more money out of hardworking Americans already living paycheck to paycheck under this Administration. While I believe Americans should pay the taxes they owe, I believe this money would be better spent hiring more border patrol agents. I know from talking to border patrol agents firsthand at the border that our 20,000 border patrol agents desperately need more resources to protect the border and stop the flow of illicit drugs, most notably fentanyl, that are contributing to overdose deaths in Kentucky and other parts of the country.

“As Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, I introduced amendments to push back on the bill’s provisions that would harm the Medicare program and result in fewer lifesaving cures coming to market. Unfortunately, Democrats refused to even consider these or any other Members’ amendments.

“I look forward to managing floor debate for the Energy and Commerce Committee to highlight why my colleagues should join me in voting no on this legislation, which should more appropriately be named the ‘Inflation Expansion Act.’”

Guthrie is expected to manage floor debate at 1:00 p.m. ET. Click HERE to watch the House floor proceedings LIVE.

Guthrie introduced amendments to the “Inflation Expansion Act” to protect access to Medicare and lifesaving cures, lower drug costs, and shield military installations, such as Fort Knox, from new energy taxes. No amendments, including Guthrie’s amendments, were allowed consideration by House Democrats. Click HERE for more details on Guthrie’s amendments.

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