Democrats’ energy betrayal: Subsidizing Beijing while we strike Iran
Once again, liberals in Congress have decided the best way to “help” America is to return to the failed economic nightmare that was Bidenomics.
Just this week, 120 House Democrats delivered what they’re calling the “Energy Bills Relief Act”—a slick name for a naked attempt to resurrect the policies responsible for the worst gas prices in the history of this nation.
Their attempt to reinvent failure is not subtle. They watched Bidenomics crush American families with generational inflation and record-high energy costs the first time around, and now they want a second bite at the apple. This bill isn’t about “relief.” It’s about forcing taxpayers to subsidize the same green-energy fantasies that spiked costs while ignoring abundant American resources.
The Democrats’ proposal would restore massive tax credits and incentives for wind and solar projects that supporters claim will deliver “low-cost” energy. It actually funnels billions in taxpayer subsidies straight to China’s dominant supply chain for panels, turbines, and components. This bill would reinstate Inflation Reduction Act-style credits, all while ignoring how intermittency and foreign dependence drive up real costs for American families.
Keep in mind, House Democrats are floating massive subsidies for their green friends while they refuse to pass a bill to pay for the Department of Homeland Security. This bill is doomed to fail, not just from the pain of high prices under Joe Biden, but from the stark, unforgiving nature of reality. For proof, look no further than Cuba.
The failed communist state is enduring nationwide blackouts that have millions in the dark for hours or days at a time, as its crumbling grid collapses under fuel shortages. Yet, their ally China isn’t in any hurry to rush to their aid with sun panels and windmills. They know “renewables” can’t reliably keep the grid stable when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow. Even climate alarmists like Greta Thunberg want for more oil for Cuba. A shocking admission that renewables’ intermittency limits real reliability. If Greta can figure it out, why can’t these Democrats? Pretending wind and solar can fully power a modern economy is delusional.
There’s also the timing. While our nation is taking bold action against Iran, these congressional Democrats believe the smart play is to send even more American taxpayer dollars straight to China for solar panels and wind turbines. China dominates the supply chain for these technologies. Every subsidy in this bill is another check written to Beijing. At a moment when America is confronting real threats abroad, these proposals would hand energy dependence to our chief strategic rival.
And let’s not forget their record on energy security. They stood quietly while President Biden drained the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to artificially mask the damage his policies were causing. Then, less than a year ago, they voted en masse against efforts to refill it when a barrel of oil cost a lot less than it does now. They were happy to play politics with our emergency reserves when it suited their narrative, but now they want to lock in the very policies that made those reserves necessary in the first place. Profiles in cowardice, indeed.
To be sure, gas prices are high right now. But here’s the reality American families see at the pump every day: prices are still more than a dollar lower than they were under Bidenomics.
With the April 15 tax deadline looming, working families are opening their returns and seeing more money in their pockets thanks to pro-growth policies. Yet these same officials want to turn around and spend even more of those hard-earned taxpayer dollars on the same failed schemes that drove costs up before.
America deserves better. We deserve leaders who understand that our strength lies in responsible development of our own resources, not in recycling the economic failures of the Biden era. Cosponsoring this bill isn’t leadership. It’s a sell-out wrapped in green ribbon.
The working families of America should take note. When our representatives choose Bidenomics over American energy independence, they aren’t just voting against reliable power—they’re voting against the families they were elected to represent.
Larry Behrens is an energy expert and the Communications Director for Power The Future. He is also author of the new book “Power Restored: President Trump’s First Year and the Revival of American Energy Leadership.” You can follow him on X/Twitter @larrybehrens