Hirono Opposes Mandate to Energy Committee to Pay for GOP Tax Proposal with Arctic Drilling

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono opposed plans to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development to fulfill a mandate in the Republican tax and budget plan that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee raise $1 billion in new revenue to pay for tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest Americans by November 13.

In a hearing this morning, Senator Hirono questioned U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Principal Deputy Director Greg Sheehan on the Trump administration’s actions to pave the way to begin drilling operations. 

From Senator Hirono’s remarks:

“This hearing is all of a piece to support the Republican budget and tax proposal that cuts $1.5 trillion from Medicare and Medicaid and imposes massive reductions in funds for education and affordable housing, among other things. All to benefit huge corporations and the wealthy.

“The decades-long debate over the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a highly controversial issue that has come to represent a fight between protecting pristine ecosystems versus continuing our reliance on fossil fuels. We should not be considering whether to exploit national treasures like the Arctic Refuge to pay for tax cuts for the rich.”

Click on the photo above to watch video from the hearing 

###