National Association of Manufacturers Warns Against Democrats’ Gas Companies Bill

A leading group of manufacturers is telling lawmakers to vote against a bill that seeks to roll back taxes on oil companies and institute a windfall profits tax.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) said that Consumer First- Energy Act, being pushed by Senate Democrats, would lead to higher energy costs, fewer energy supplies, a weakened domestic energy industry and more job losses for U.S. factory workers.

“American manufacturers already face a 31.7 percent cost disadvantage when compared to our major trading partners,” according to an NAM release. “This bill would drive the cost disadvantage even higher, putting quality American jobs at risk.”

The group added that it would consider any votes on procedural motions that moves the bill forward as support for the bill itself.

Democratic Sens. Harry Reid (Nev.), Max Baucus (Mont.), Maria Cantwell (Wash.), Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), Jeff Bingaman (N.M.) and Byron Dorgan (N.D.), in addition to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), have been pushing for measure.