Heinrich Statement On Republicans Blocking Bipartisan Energy Efficiency Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, issued the following statement today after a group of Senate Republicans voted to block the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), from moving forward. The proposal aims to create jobs, reduce pollution, and make our country more energy efficient.

"Years of good, bipartisan work went into crafting this smart, effective energy efficiency proposal, which is widely supported and acknowledged to be a major job creator.  The American people are eager for proof that Congress has their best interests in mind and can, at the very least, come together on the issues that we all agree on. Improving our nation's energy efficiency and saving families money should be one of those issues. Despite today's disappointing vote, I will continue to work to ensure we reach common sense solutions so New Mexico can benefit more broadly from smart conservation measures."

Senator Heinrich voted to advance the bill, which failed a procedural vote of 55 to 36, falling short of the 60-vote threshold needed to conclude the debate.