(NewsNation) — A group of Republicans is asking the party administration to keep tax credits for clean energy in place.
The group of almost two dozen House Republicans are led by Rep. Andrew Garbrino, R-N.Y. They said in the letter to the head of the Ways and Means Committee that eliminating the credits would work against the goal of energy dominance because that goal should apply to all energy sectors.
“Continued energy expansion and innovation is necessary to bolster national security, create good-paying American jobs, and guarantee energy independence. The United States continues to produce energy from a myriad of sources that are cleaner and more efficient than anywhere else in the world,” the letter stated.
The tax credits were a cornerstone of former President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which President Donald Trump has vowed to get rid of. Trump froze funding to projects related to the legislation and worked to remove any climate change initiatives in government.
The members who have signed the letter represent districts that stand to benefit from the clean energy tax credits and where a loss of those credits could mean a loss of jobs.
The letter also noted that eliminating some of the credits would immediately result in higher utility bills for American taxpayers.
Some of the Republicans who signed on have not ruled out voting against a continuing resolution that is needed to keep the government open.
Leading Democrats have suggested the GOP will have to pass the resolution on its own with no support, leaving the party with a slim majority to achieve that goal.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has the job of getting support from Republicans who range from more centrist members and those in competitive districts to hard-line Republicans who want to see more extensive cuts to government.
Without Democratic support, the GOP can only afford to lose one vote and pass the resolution. If it is not passed by Friday, the government will shut down.