U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today called the “Green New Deal,” a Democratic proposal to radically remake the American economy and society, an impractical and expensive nonstarter—a fact that may explain why Senate Democrats ducked for cover when it was put to a vote.
Rather than register as “yea” or “nay,” 43 Senate Democrats voted “present” when the Green New Deal resolution was brought up for consideration on Tuesday. The measure (S.J.Res.8) failed to receive the 60 votes required to open debate on the plan.
“Objective assessments show that the Green New Deal is an impractical and expensive plan that would eliminate whole industries and millions of jobs. It is a complete nonstarter,” Hyde-Smith said.
“I think most Americans would be alarmed by any plan that directs the government to forcibly restructure the entire country, while putting our economy and national security at risk. Meanwhile, our competitors would just carry on,” she said.
The Green New Deal would establish a 10-year “national mobilization effort” to eliminate fossil fuel used in the United States in order to meet net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, while also mandating that all businesses and homes be retrofitted to meet green standards. It also calls for the removal of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation and agricultural sectors. Among other things, the far-reaching socialistic plan also calls for guaranteed government healthcare, housing, and higher education.
Early reviews estimated the plan could cost $93 trillion to implement in the first 10 years, with every U.S. household responsible for up to $65,000 a year to cover the tab.
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith Press Release
3/26/2019
