Republicans mull energy priorities for reconciliation

By Garrett Downs | 08/02/2024 07:01 AM EDT

Republicans want to use reconciliation to boost oil and gas leasing if they win big in November.

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) would like to use a budget reconciliation bill to shrink the federal workforce. Jose Luis Magana/AP

Republicans may not sweep the November election. That’s not stopping them from planning for it.

GOP senators plan to enact a slew of energy and environmental priorities if they gain control of both chambers of Congress and the White House — a trifecta enabling them to pass a filibuster-proof budget reconciliation package.

Among their top interests are greenlighting troves of fossil fuel leases to create federal revenue, investing in hydropower and zeroing out the salaries of federal employees.

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Some top Republicans have already expressed a desire to scrap — or at least modify — tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act if they take a full majority.

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