WASHINGTON, D.C. – After 43 long days, the shutdown is over. The Senate stayed in session for weeks only focusing on reopening the government. Other than only voting on reopening the government on Wednesday, the House’s last vote on the floor was in mid- September. So, what should Congress focus on? We asked a couple of members.
“I am firmly focused on the Energy Choice Act,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R- NY).
This bill would prohibit states and local governments from banning natural gas as an energy source for most new homes. Congressman Langworthy, who is spearheading this legislation, said this bipartisan bill has more than 120 cosponsors.
“New York state next year bans central gas propane hookups to new home construction in any building under seven stories,” said Rep. Langworthy. “This is bad policy. This is dangerous policy.”
Supporters of the ban said it’s a way to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“We have to provide consistent natural gas, propane, wood heat, oil,” said Rep. Langworthy. “We should not have the government pick winners and losers on safe legal forms of energy. This is my major priority piece of legislation. This is my signature bill and we are focused on driving that across the finish line.”
Congressman Mike Kelly (R- PA) said he wants to look at all other appropriation pieces.
“All the communities are waiting for certain things,” said Rep. Kelly. “I know for us a lot of the volunteer firemen really hard infrastructure, not talking about imaginary infrastructure, I’m talking about roads and rivers and bridges and things of that nature. We’re looking at things like that so I want to see us do that appropriations piece where we can plus people up and get things fixed right away.”
