18 House Republicans Call on Johnson to Keep Part of Inflation Reduction Act

A group of Republican congressional members have called on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to keep the energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act if the GOP gains unified control of Congress and the White House next year.

While they called for both American energy independence and dominance and noted the United States’ effort to keep emissions low, the lawmakers cited that U.S. companies rely on energy tax credits.

“We hear from industry and our constituents who fear the energy tax regime will once again be turned on its head due to Republican repeal efforts. Prematurely repealing energy tax credits, particularly those which were used to justify investments that already broke ground, would undermine private investments and stop development that is already ongoing,” wrote the lawmakers.

Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act, they said, would make the money invested in energy tax credits a waste.

Related Stories

They said, “energy tax credits have spurred innovation, incentivized investment, and created good jobs in many parts of the country—including many districts represented by members of our conference.”

The lawmakers called for a policy that embraces all types of energy.

The Inflation Reduction Act included provisions related to not only renewable energy but also the IRS and health care. It also included a 15 percent minimum corporate tax that is projected to raise $313 billion, according to the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation. No Republicans voted in favor of it.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Johnson’s office for comment.

Lawmakers on Record

The lawmakers who signed the letter were Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), Young Kim (R-Calif.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.), David Joyce (R-Ohio), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), and Mark Amodei (R-Nev.).

“Investments in clean energy and energy efficiency benefit households by lowering and stabilizing their monthly utility bills, and all Americans by mitigating climate change and air pollution,” the department said.

The legislation was projected to raise $739 billion, according to the Senate Democrat conference.

Numerous lawmakers—including Valadao, Chavez-DeRemer, Kiggans, Kim, D’Esposito, and LaLota—are facing difficult reelection battles in swing districts.

On the other side in the House GOP conference, members such as Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) are pushing to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act. In February 2023, he put forth a bill to do so. It has 24 co-sponsors, all Republicans.

Several months ago, the House GOP put forth a bill to send $14 billion in assistance to Israel following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, offsetting the same amount in IRS funding. The Senate and White House objected to the measure.