WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today voted to further debate the resolution to disapprove EPA regulations on greenhouse gas emissions because they amount to a backdoor cap-and-tax regulatory scheme that will hurt Kansas consumers.

“The EPA’s efforts to sidestep the Congress and burden our fragile economy with regulations will mean that Kansans, and all Americans, are likely to see an increase in their utility bills, transportation costs, basic consumer goods and food. I am particularly concerned about the consequences for our farmers and ranchers.”

Senator Roberts is an original cosponsor of the resolution, S.J.Res 26, to disapprove the “endangerment finding” published by the EPA on December 15, 2009. The vote today was on the motion to proceed.

“As a member of the Senate Agriculture and Senate Finance Committees, I will continue to fight against such proposals that damage our competitiveness in world markets, ration domestic energy and result in greater government bureaucracy. It is not in the best interests of the United States to unilaterally undertake mandatory carbon reductions until developing countries like China, India and Brazil agree to the same.”

Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance and a senior member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. He has introduced legislation to intensify research into the link between agricultural practices and climate with a focus on carbon sequestration.

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