Sanders Blasts ‘Huge Giveaway’ To Fossil Fuel Industry in Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) took to the Senate floor on Tuesday to offer a sweeping critique of the Democratic Party's new reconciliation package, applying particularly close scrutiny to the legislation's massive and destructive handouts to the fossil fuel industry.

April 1, 2023 | Source: The Defender | by Jake Johnson

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) took to the Senate floor on Tuesday to offer a sweeping critique of the Democratic Party’s new reconciliation package, applying particularly close scrutiny to the legislation’s massive and destructive handouts to the fossil fuel industry.

While Sanders (I-Vt.) applauded the Inflation Reduction Act’s “serious funding for wind, solar, batteries, heat pumps, electric vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, and low-income communities that have borne the brunt of climate change,” he raised concerns about the “billions of dollars in new tax breaks and subsidies” that the oil and gas industry will receive under the measure, which could get a Senate vote as soon as this week.

“In my view, if we are going to make our planet healthy and habitable for future generations, we cannot provide billions of dollars in new tax breaks to the very same fossil fuel companies that are currently destroying the planet,” the Vermont senator said.