Sorensen on House Floor: Energy Bill Does Nothing to Lower Costs for Illinoisans

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) introduced an amendment to prevent rising energy costs in a major energy bill passed by House Republicans. Sorensen’s amendment was struck down by Republican leadership. 

"At a time when people are struggling to keep their lights on and homes heated, we can't let big corporations sell natural gas overseas if that means higher prices for working families across my district," said Sorensen. “My Republican colleagues decided to block this common-sense measure from their energy bill, choosing instead to line the pockets of big oil and gas companies while leaving Illinois families behind.”

Sorensen’s amendment would have prevented exportation of liquified natural gas unless the Secretary of Energy could certify to Congress that the exportation would not increase domestic energy prices. 

Sorensen spoke on the House floor to express his concern for the lack of protections for working families in the bill, in addition to its disregard for community input on oil and gas projects and its increase of the deficit by $2.4 billion. 

You can watch Sorensen’s full speech here.