Earlier this week, the President sent his annual budget proposal to Congress for consideration. Headlines focused on a new fee the President has proposed on oil, an important idea that is being called “dead on arrival” by an oil-soaked Congress. But also in the budget proposal is a call from the President to end a set of subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, amounting to billions of dollars each year in wasteful spending. This is not the first time the President’s budget has included removal of these subsidies. In fact, this marks the 8th time he’s done so. That’s right, he’s proposed an end to these subsidies in every. single. budget. he’s introduced.
These subsidy cuts the President has proposed cover just a few of the many subsidies that make up the $17 billion each year our federal government sends to the fossil fuel industry. These subsidies are the worst of the worst, and it’s time they were eliminated. These handouts to the industry enable hazardous and extreme fossil fuel development in the United States, development which would fail any reasonable climate test in line with science and international agreements. The President’s budget proposal marks some important steps in eliminating these inappropriate subsidies, and shows that the burgeoning movement demanding that we stop funding fossils is being heard.
Congress has no excuse, they must act to end these subsidies. Make sure your representatives in DC hear from you today.
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