Lubbock Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 16, Representative Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced the Mission not Emissions Act, legislation to prohibit the Biden Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and NASA from mandating a climate rule on federal contractors that will harm our defense, manufacturing, and energy industries.

“The Biden Administration’s whole-of-government assault on fossil fuels threatens our military readiness and jeopardizes our national security. The Biden Administration’s climate disclosure rule would require contractors to receive federal government approval on burdensome emission reduction plans, a thinly-veiled attempt to penalize companies that rely on American energy,” said Rep. Arrington. “I am proud to lead my Republican colleagues in legislation that ensures our military can focus on fighting our adversaries, not fending off climate activists.”

“The Biden Administration’s proposed climate disclosure rule is another example of its attempt to carry on a radical Green New Deal climate agenda. President Biden’s proposed rule increases costs and burdens on small businesses and farmers across the country, makes it more difficult for military and government vehicles to acquire gasoline, and surrenders U.S. federal contracting to foreign actors. By introducing the ‘Mission Not Emissions Act,’ Republicans are taking steps to stop the all-out war on American-Made energy. This bill prevents the Biden Administration from using federal agencies to attack companies that use and produce domestic energy, from killing American jobs, and from harming the economy by sending costs even higher on all Americans,” said Chairman James Comer.

“We cannot allow the Biden Administration to continue to play politics with our military and force through a radical environmental agenda,” commented Rep. Pat Fallon. “The military needs reliable forms of energy to maintain a proper level of readiness, something which is not possible without fossil fuels. We cannot address national security concerns if our military is hamstrung by the reckless pursuit to lower emissions.” 

“The Mission Not Emissions Act recognizes the importance of protecting American businesses from unnecessary burdens and promoting competitiveness on a global scale. By prohibiting the disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks for federal contract recipients, we can ensure companies can focus on innovation and productivity without being weighed down by excessive reporting requirements and bureaucratic red tape. This act strikes the right balance between environmental responsibility and supporting a thriving economy for the benefit of all Americans,” said Rep. Nancy Mace.

“The NAM commends Rep. Arrington for introducing legislation to rein in the FAR Council’s regulatory overreach and to put a stop to attempts to outsource critical regulatory decisions to unaccountable third parties. Manufacturers are already facing a regulatory onslaught—if allowed to move forward, the FAR Council’s climate reporting mandate will increase the burden on firms that provide crucial goods to the federal government and could endanger national security, ” said Chris Netram, Managing Vice President, Tax & Domestic Economic Policy, National Association of Manufacturers.

Background:

• On November 14, 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), serving together on the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Council, released a proposed rule governing federal government contracts.
• The proposed rule, “Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk” would:
  • Severely limit the ability of the DoD and other federal agencies to procure gasoline, jet fuel, and other fuels currently necessary for use in military and government vehicles.
  • Could prevent fossil fuel companies from contracting with the federal government.
  • Presents significant concerns for national security by limiting the ability of the military to procure fuels; and beholds federal contractors to the approval of the U.N. and NGOs who may have significant ties to foreign adversaries such as China.
  • Would harm small business’ ability to contract with the Federal government, 64% of all “significant contractors” and 29% of all “major contractors.”
  • Calls for comments by qualifying oil companies on the creation of science-based targets, a program that does not exist and furthermore must be validated by NGOs who have abandoned fossil fuel taxonomies; thereby, disqualifying oil companies from compliance.

Original source can be found here.