Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), State Senator Caleb Kleinpeter (R-Port Allen), and State Representative Blake Miguez (R-Erath) have written a joint editorial for the USA Today Network, highlighting their efforts to hold global polluters accountable. The lawmakers are advocating for trade policies that target foreign polluters while benefiting American workers.

The lawmakers stress that America produces energy and manufactures products cleaner than anywhere else. They emphasize that the United States should take advantage of this reality and reward it. Despite having a well-documented advantage, the United States relies on cheap foreign imports and China-dominated supply chains. This not only undercuts U.S. manufacturing domestically and abroad but also causes the loss of millions of U.S. jobs and dependency on problematic supply chains.

To address this issue, Senator Cassidy led the introduction of the Foreign Pollution Fee Act, which aims to penalize foreign polluters. State Senator Kleinpeter and State Representative Miguez introduced a resolution that supports trade policies targeting foreign polluters and promoting American economic development. This resolution was unanimously passed by the Louisiana House and Senate.

The lawmakers emphasize that their approach is supported by the people of Louisiana. They cite polling data showing that 84% of Louisianans agree that the U.S. needs to hold high-polluting countries like China and Russia accountable for their carbon pollution. Additionally, 75% of Louisianans agree that America should enact policies that discourage products made with higher carbon pollution and provide incentives for products made in America with less carbon pollution. Furthermore, 80% of Louisianans agree that foreign countries with more carbon pollution should be required to pay a fee when their high-carbon products enter the U.S. to ensure fair competition for U.S. manufacturers. Finally, 76% of Louisianans support placing a pollution fee on high-carbon imports from China, Russia, and other foreign polluters.

The lawmakers argue that it is time to use America's advantage in cleaner manufacturing and energy production to bring supply chains back home. This would expand American production, create jobs, and discourage the import of pollution-intensive, foreign-produced goods. They conclude by urging the implementation of their proposed bills, stating that Louisianans support this initiative.

In addition to their efforts on trade policy, Senator Cassidy has been vocal about the geopolitical threats posed by China to U.S. global standing. He has stressed the need for a comprehensive U.S. foreign policy towards China that addresses national security, energy security, economic policy, and climate policy. Cassidy has also released a landmark energy and climate policy outline, which includes plans to cut permitting red tape and unleash domestic energy and manufacturing.

The lawmakers' call for trade policies that support Louisiana industry and penalize global polluters is grounded in the reality of America's cleaner energy production and manufacturing capabilities. By holding high-polluting countries accountable and incentivizing American-made products with lower carbon pollution, the United States can promote economic development and protect the environment. The support from the people of Louisiana further underscores the urgency and importance of enacting these trade policies.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-u-s-must-enact-trade-policy-to-support-louisiana-industry-penalize-global-polluters/