In an effort to protect the budget of working families in the middle of a serious recession, U.S. Rep. John Carter (R-TX31) today introduced amendments to HR 2454, the Democrats’ national energy tax bill tentatively scheduled for a vote Friday.

Carter’s twin amendments would automatically repeal the energy tax, also known as the "cap and trade" bill, if the U.S. Department of Energy confirmed the bill raised gas or diesel prices by more than 10 cents a gallon, or home electric bills by more than $20 a month.

"The debate over this bill is over how much it will raise prices for consumers," says Carter, House Republican Conference Secretary. "Democrats contend the effect will be minimal, so they should have no problem adding these two amendments just to make sure. A vote against either will therefore be a recorded vote to raise energy prices on consumers."

The latest version of the national energy tax places the price hikes almost entirely on the backs of middle-income Americans, who make up around 70% of the nation’s population. Low income families, those making less than $33,000 a year per family, would receive new federal "energy stamps", the energy equivalent of food stamps, to "render harmless" all but middle-income Americans.

"The current bill will do nothing to reduce carbon emissions, will increase energy prices on working Americans, and will cost us over 2 million jobs a year for years to come," says Carter. "These amendments will hopefully wake up some folks on the other side of the aisle as to what they are doing to their constituents."

The Carter Amendments were submitted to the House Rules Committee today, for consideration on the floor debate this Friday.

Amendments to Block Fuel and Electric Price Hikes introduced to National Energy Tax Bill