Posted by Matt Hawes on 06/25/09 12:02 PM   [Newer: Physicians respond to Obama at Virtual Town Meeting] [Older: Stop the Cap-and-Trade Bill]

A vote on HR 2454, the "Cap-and-Trade" proposal, is likely to come around 5 pm eastern today.  As we've seen with our efforts to Audit the Fed, a mobilized grassroots effort can accomplish a lot of good in a short time.

Touted as a plan that would help address our nation's energy concerns, Cap-and-Trade (also known as "Cap-and-Tax") would impose yet another hidden tax on Americans and further cripple our economy.

The critical question to ask, as with any economic proposal, is "what are the unseen effects?"  Proponents of the legislation will point to companies cutting back on carbon emissions as proof that action by Congress worked to help the environment.  What they won't talk about, however, are all the increased costs you and I will have to pay because of their plans.

While on the campaign trail, then-candidate Obama admitted that under his cap-and-trade plan, "... electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket."  Companies will pass along the costs of complying with these new regulations directly to us, with some estimates putting families on the hook for over $1,000 in additional energy bill fees per year.

Click here for image source.

Additionally, the more expensive it becomes to do business, the more workers are laid off to try to make up the difference.  With the current economic crisis, now is no time for Congress to be placing further burdens on businesses and the American people.

As we mentioned in our first blog post about this issue on Wednesday, House Democrat leadership may not yet have the votes needed to pass, so it is crucial that we contact our representatives and urge them to oppose the plan.  Many of those now wavering could be persuaded to vote against the bill if they feel they have enough support backing their decision.

Click here to find contact information for your representative.  Email, call, and fax your opinion!

Posted 06/25/09 1:23 PM TKD8547 putnam valley, NY

Contacted my jerk rep, considering my past experiences with him, I doubt it will do much. Peace

Posted 06/25/09 1:39 PM CharlesMurphy New York, NY

Check out this recent article in Rolling Stone. The last part has some interesting info on the prospects for cap and trade and how it will be implemented. http://zerohedge.blogspot.com/2009/06/goldman-sachs-engineering- every-major.html If the link doesn't work, the article is posted on the blog Zero Hedge (good stuff)

Posted 06/25/09 1:59 PM Heather D Port Byron, IL

I called Rep. Hare's office this morning. He "hasn't taken a position" according to his staff.

Posted 06/25/09 3:25 PM BrockSouthwick Castle Rock, CO

Rep. Coffman (CO6) is voting no.

Posted 06/25/09 4:16 PM bbarbata Newport Beach, CA

Kinda figured, but just called to make sure: John Campbell (CA-48) is a no vote.

Posted 06/25/09 4:58 PM jwinston2 Dana Point, CA

Some interesting and disturbing points about HR 2454: "Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain low income taxpayers a refundable energy tax credit to compensate such taxpayers for reductions in their purchasing power, as identified and calculated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), resulting from regulation of GHGs." And "Requires: (1) the Administrator to implement the Energy Refund Program to give low-income households a monthly cash energy refund equal to the estimated loss in purchasing power resulting from this Act;" The proposal itself acknowledges the loss of income all American's will experience and tries to offset this loss for low income classes. Essentially the resolution that has been proposed admits that it is a new tax (loss of purchasing power) on the middle class.

Posted 06/25/09 5:01 PM WilliamRunyonJr Camdenton, MO

I haven't been able to get through to my Rep yet. I saw a short video the other day of Dennis Kucinich saying this bill "isn't good enough" but now I can't find it. Anyone else see that? I like being able to post dissenting Democrats when I can to try to break up the phoney party mentality.

Posted 06/25/09 5:23 PM xxmikiandmikoxx San Ramon, CA

Called Rep McNearny (CA-11), but staffer just took message and "logged" call. This guy hasn't listened in the past, and I am not hopeful he will here either.

Posted 06/25/09 5:47 PM DanSteely rochester, NY

A call for optimism. I called and emailed the 2 congressmen from my area repeatedly re hr1207. Neither co-sponsored right away but eventually they both did. One was no surprise as he is a conservative but the other was almost shocking as she is as spendy and left as they get. My point is that we need to remain optimistic. Hr1207 clearly demonstrates that through our combined efforts we will succeed if we put enough pressure on. I just heard that this cap n trade bill will be voted on in the house tommorrow 6/26. It is far from a lock to be passed so a little effort on our part could very well stop it. Here are the numbers for the house switchboard 202-225-3121 or 202-224-3121 and there is a link on the front page of this article to contact our reps.

Posted 06/25/09 6:33 PM scottrk31 foxboro, MA

Contacted mine yesterday but then today when I saw the repeat of Robert Gibbs press conference and he got all wispy about the windmills in Germany I had to look up some information. The following is a link to one of the leading Windmill power generators in Germany and their analysis of wind power is less than inspiring. http://www.groenerekenkamer.nl/grk/rm/7/ENE_Windreport2005_e_eng.p df The aide tried to convince me this was a good bill and wouldn't make much of a difference and that it was imperative for America to lead in Green Energy. He became a little hostile when I pointed to this report, Spain, and Australia. My Rep is Barney Frank so the time I spent was for entertainment purposes only.

Posted 06/25/09 8:24 PM MRoCkEd Cheshire, CT

I know the big story is MJ.. but at least Beck covered this today.

Posted 06/26/09 06:00 AM ghendric Burlington, KY

I couldn't get through last night. The line was busy. Glad people are calling.

Posted 06/26/09 08:20 AM mattgeb84 lynn, MA

i contacted my rep John Tierney about this, but unfortunately it's hopeless with tierney he's gonna vote for it no matter how many people tell him not to

Posted 06/26/09 08:43 AM Paul Revered New Richmond, OH

The sad truth government is now the controlling market in deficiency of economy, basically how miserable can the government make it. It is perpetuating the destruction of efficiency by demanding it through taxation. Case in point is the CO2 from power plants. The consumption of fuel that generates power and CO2, rather than looking at the CO2 as a value, it is looked as harmful. This byproduct is very valuable. The earth is using this resource faster than normal, hence growing warmer. Efficiency of operation of the power plant is deficient in not using the byproduct of CO2. Like wrapping your sandwich with dollar bills and complaining that the cost is high and the ink in the paper is destroying the environment. Monopoly industries need not look for efficiency, because deficiency can be passed along without fear of completion. The main stream news media and governments sponsored by, “just too big to fail”, have the deficient engineering skills of understanding how to extrapolate as much money from the normal people as possible. This is generally through new money methods, better known as fractional banking for those uneducated and counterfeiting for those who are educated. CO2 is used by earth, why should natural law be ignored in the creation of energy? So why not ask scientist and engineers to design the systems to make profit from CO2 negating unnatural effect. How the politicians can rape that efficiency is not in question. Knowing who gains the most from efficiency, would question; why would managers wait for government tax money rather than competing…… because it is not a free market.

Posted 06/26/09 09:52 AM Mike Roux Rock Hill, SC

I'll pay for the call, use my (valuable) time, air my opinion about about this incredible waste of resources, and be frustratedyet again by John Spratt of the 5th District in SC. This guy has got to go. Party liner all the way, and no moral compass.

Posted 06/26/09 11:21 AM mattgeb84 lynn, MA

maybe we should just assume it's gonna pass and start calling our senators now

Posted 06/26/09 11:32 AM Melissa Florissant, MO

Thanks for making it so easy to call and email our reps. Clay in MO is not sure how he will vote yet. They did not seem to care what district I was in so anyone who has extra time to call feel free Clay's DC number is (202) 225-2406

Posted 06/26/09 11:40 AM leeaustex Austin , TX

Just got off the phone With Lloyd Doggett's office (D-TX) and his aide said that at this time he was a no vote.

Posted 06/26/09 12:05 PM libertyspirit Modesto, CA

I just contacted Rep. George Radonovich's office in D.C. and his aide assured me that he would be voting NO on Cap and Tax. Yea!

Posted 06/26/09 12:33 PM Darkwolfe Independence, MO

I've sent email and made the phone call to Emanuel Cleaver II this week. The email I got back was parroting of the IPCC finding (Which we know are hogwash) and a basic denial of reality. The phone call got a nice you lady on the other end that listened to me vent about and said that she would pass my view along to the representative. I hold no great hope that he will listen. He has too many "entitlists" to feed.

Posted 06/26/09 1:03 PM rjjflash Temecula, CA

Watching debate on C-SPAN now. I've heard that this will create between a thousand and millions of jobs. I'm privately hoping this will pass so we can get on with the complete failure of the US economy. I can survive for a few years, I'm not sure I can hang on for 30.

Posted 06/26/09 1:56 PM btimsah Oklahoma City, OK

I have two representatives, Tom Cole and Mary Fallin (OK) and both are voting against the bill. I figured they would anyway, but just making sure. I might have to put them in my phone book. If every person in America would have their representatives number in their phone book maybe we'd get them to listen to us? Nah, doubt it.

Posted 06/26/09 2:07 PM chenangofreethinker Norwich, NY

Im not a big fan of the links to the Petroleum Lobby. While, I am opposed to this bill just because of its direct effect on the people, I dont need the oil lobby scaring me half to death about the chaos this bill will bring. Besides, they suck enough of my blood, Im certainly not interested in them telling me how much more they are going to screw me. We need to stop the subsidies all around and cause some innovation on the energy front. Fossil fuels just arent cutting it anymore, we need to do something else. On another not, I called Mike Arcuri, but as we all know, he is a toe the line Democrat.

Posted 06/26/09 2:10 PM Bailey Wilmington, NC

Mike McIntyres office is reporting he is voting AGAINST the bill. Perhaps the blue dogs will help defeat cap and trade.

Posted 06/26/09 2:15 PM Heymama Pryor, OK

Tom Coburn (Dem-OK2) is voting against...for once.

Posted 06/26/09 2:17 PM Heather D Port Byron, IL

I can report that the phones are ringing off the hook, and many Reps. servers have crashed. In Illinois, KNOWN SUPPORTERS of this bill are Hare, Schakowsky, Halvorson, Rush, Quigley, and Danny Davis.

Posted 06/26/09 2:52 PM jacksonblair14 Chesterland, OH

LaTourette is voting against it.

Posted 06/26/09 2:59 PM DRMark broadview hts, OH

just called Betty Sutton office i'm sure she will vote yes though :(

Posted 06/26/09 3:16 PM flaunt Duluth, GA

This is a travesty... I'm watching c-span right now and the buraucrats are "trying to find" the official copy of the bill! They are trying to railroad this thing through without anyone actually getting to see what's in it. There are SO many politicians that should be in jail. It's unbelievable the gall...

Posted 06/26/09 3:17 PM ScottFox Atlanta, GA

Sent the following email to Rep. Price from Georgia. He has impressed me with his voting record on fiscal matters, we'll see how Cap and Trade goes. "Representative Price, I am writing to urge you to oppose the upcoming 'Cap and Trade' legislation that is to be voted upon in the near future. The legislation amounts to yet more government interference in our lives - interference which has shown to be grossly ineffective in all sectors of American life: economic, social, and environmental. The legislation is also based upon specious claims by the IPCC and other bureaucratic and political organizations. If you study the matter of 'climate change', as I have, you will find that there is a wide range of opinion on the matter, and that sweeping legislation such as 'Cap and Trade' is premature and ill-conceived. Please do ignore the fear-mongering from Mr. Gore and his ilk - it is merely political grandstanding, nothing more. Again I strongly urge you to oppose 'Cap and Trade' legislation, and to investigate all sides of the matter before plunging the federal government into our lives even further. I have been very impressed with your voting record, especially regarding 'bailout' legislation, and your co-sponsorship of Ron Paul's HR 1207. And I hope that you exhibit similar wisdom regarding 'Cap and Trade'. Very Sincerely,"

Posted 06/26/09 3:22 PM gmazet flemington, NJ

Leonard Lance is undecided - just got off the phone and begged his aide to get him the message...

Posted 06/26/09 3:33 PM Jaret Glenn Orlando, FL

I called my Rep, Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL,24), but the staffer I spoke with didn't know how she planned to vote.

Posted 06/26/09 4:07 PM erikawatts Lancaster, SC

did this earlier today..

Posted 06/26/09 4:10 PM Freetard78 ankeny, IA

Called Rep. Leonard Boswell, a blue dog, and his call center informed me he was in favor of it at this time. I've sent emails as well. I hope he's getting blasted with calls right now! At over 1000 pages, you can be sure that our honorable electeds have had a chance to read every single page. These people are treasonous!

Posted 06/26/09 4:10 PM rjjflash Temecula, CA

I watched the whole 3 1/2 hrs of this debate. I never heard the word freedom once. Regulation, Control, Tax many times over

Posted 06/26/09 4:14 PM rjjflash Temecula, CA

Spoke too early, Congresswoman Bachman "We chose Liberty or Tyranny"

Posted 06/26/09 4:26 PM teapartyer Montague, MA

John Olver (MA-1) is voting FOR. I called. I made calls to family members too, which yielded another call to John Olver and three calls to Barney Frank (MA-4) for, as Scott from Foxboro, MA said, "entertainment purposes only." Barney is FOR. We're cursed with a suite of entirely lock-step Democrat representatives in both the House and the Senate, but the calls are still worth it! It shows them that we are paying attention! Massholes against cap and trade! Hoorah!

Posted 06/26/09 5:02 PM BaneMaler Lawrence, KS

Well Dennis Moore (KS) went on the stump today to say he wants everyones support of this bill. Why can't we arrest this guy already, he's a walking fraud. At least the debates have been interesting to watch. Boehner is laying the bill out. I wish he'd read the dang thing while he's at it. If he did he might finish sometime on Monday. 300 pages of this bill were dropped at 3 in the morning, are you friggin' kidding me!

Posted 06/26/09 5:03 PM BaneMaler Lawrence, KS

He just read that if you attempt to sell your home you need to have it inspected by green police. If it isn't up to California standards, you can't sell. Who writes this stuff?

Posted 06/26/09 5:14 PM amk2511 Doral, FL

Called Lincoln Diaz-Balart whose staff member advised that they are receiving lots of calls, overwhelmingly against it, and he will vote NO.

Posted 06/26/09 5:30 PM rjjflash Temecula, CA

Boehner is a blowhard, but he may blowhard his way into changing some votes. I wish I could see Waxman's face during all of this.

Posted 06/26/09 5:43 PM rjjflash Temecula, CA

WOW, exciting stuff the DEMS pulled Congressman Kennedy out of rehab so he could be at the vote.

Posted 06/26/09 6:04 PM Erik Gumbrecht Tooele, UT

Rob Bishop - Utah is against. Called him to make sure.

Posted 06/26/09 6:18 PM jwinston2 Dana Point, CA

It just passed, 219-212.

Posted 06/26/09 6:20 PM rjjflash Temecula, CA

8 Republicans need to be removed from office

Posted 06/26/09 6:25 PM Melissa Florissant, MO

Not just Republicans, by my count it would be 219 need to be removed.

Posted 06/26/09 6:26 PM fadestyle Walnut Bottom, PA

now what? this is bull. the administration wants a hot revolution.

Posted 06/26/09 6:27 PM Nagelbett New Bedford, MA

4 Republican votes were all that was needed for this not to pass? How does this happen?

Posted 06/26/09 6:27 PM fadestyle Walnut Bottom, PA

ill be damned if i let some green police in my home.

Posted 06/26/09 6:28 PM fadestyle Walnut Bottom, PA

who were the ahole republicans? i am so mad right now.

Posted 06/26/09 6:41 PM jwinston2 Dana Point, CA

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll477.xml The 8 Republicans who voted for passage: Bono Mack Castle Smith (NJ) Reichert McHugh LoBiondo Lance Kirk

Posted 06/27/09 11:00 PM mattgeb84 lynn, MA

can we just water board these people already