By U.S. Congressman Joe Barton

It was the kind of political event that you don’t see splashed across front pages or leading TV newscasts – a Committee mark-up of a bill. They usually include hours of debate in a hard to understand, jargon-filled language. Normally these proceedings can make even the most avid CSPAN viewer turn the channel.

So it’s understandable if you missed the recent mark-up of the Democrats’ American Clean Energy and Security Act (or ACES) in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Despite almost complete Republican opposition, the bill passed out of committee. Our problem with it is simple – it will have real, long lasting and devastating effects on the economy.

The 946 page bill, which even the author admits he didn’t completely read, is actually a massive national energy tax - one that will effect every American family and every part of American life. And if you don’t believe me just read what Speaker Nancy Pelosi said this week in China, “We have so much room for improvement. Every aspect of our lives must be subjected to an inventory.”

The most devastating provision in this legislation is called Cap & Trade. It would place a mandatory cap on the level of allowable emissions of carbon dioxide (yes, the same stuff we exhale every few seconds and creates the bubbles in your Dr. Pepper), and then tax businesses that release carbon by requiring them to buy allowances from the government.

Companies will inevitably pass those increased costs along to consumers. In fact, expert analysis puts the cost per family at somewhere between $3,000 and $4,000 a year.

It will also result in the loss of millions of jobs as some companies decide to pack up and move to countries with less stringent environmental regulations – like India, China and Mexico.

Democratic lawmakers scoff at these common sense predictions, insisting energy prices will go down and more jobs will be created.

During the mark-up my fellow Republicans and I asked them to guarantee it.

We offered dozens of amendments. Each was aimed at protecting your job and your bottom line; however each one was rejected by Democrats on the committee.

We started by trying to save American jobs. Republicans asked that the law be suspended if it causes the nationwide unemployment rate to reach 15% or higher. Finally tally – 34 nays, 21 yeas.

Our next amendment was aimed at transparency. To make sure you knew exactly how much this bill would cost you every day - Republicans asked that the price increases caused by ACES be posted on everything from gas pumps and electric bills to food labels. Finally tally – 35 nays, 19 yeas.

Republicans introduced an amendment aimed at protecting drivers. It said that if the national average for a gallon of gas rises above $5 because of ACES - then the act is suspended. Final Tally – 31 nays, 24 yeas.

We also tried to keep electric rates affordable. Republicans asked that the cap and trade provisions of the bill be suspended if it is determined it caused the average electric bill to double. Seems like a pretty reasonable request, but it too was shot down. Finally tally – 30 nays, 19 yeas.

After looking at those votes, you tell me who deserves the title - the Party of No!

Congressional Democrats refused to protect your job and your bank account leaving me with one unanswered question - What are they afraid of?

They preached for four days that this bill wouldn’t hurt the economy, it would help it. But when we asked them to back up their claims, each time the answer came back – No!

I still have some reservations about the science used to create the theory of man-made global warming, but even if you believe it is a threat – this bill isn’t the solution. Not only will it decimate our economy, it will have a negligible effect on the planet’s temperature or the amount of carbon emitted world wide.

America can lower energy costs and create jobs while protecting the environment at the same time.

Republicans have a plan to that includes conservation of natural resources and increased production of alternative and renewable fuels.

I just hope as this debate moves to the House floor Democrats will give our ideas a chance because hitting struggling families and small businesses with a national energy tax during a recession will only slow economic recovery.