As liberal Democrat Sherrod Brown brings his campaign to Toledo, Ohioans continue to pay for his failed energy policies.  During this stop, Brown will inevitably blame America’s energy producers for these high gas prices, but a quick glance at his record proves that the only person he has to blame is himself.

During his two decade career in Washington, Brown has consistently voted against expanding our domestic oil supply and he has even voted to raise the national gasoline tax.

“Not only has Sherrod Brown successfully voted to raise the national gasoline tax, he has also opposed efforts that would expand our domestic energy supply which could lower the price of gasoline,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “With Ohio paying $3.75-a-gallon for gasoline, Ohioans need a Senator who supports pro-jobs, pro-energy policies that will get the Buckeye State working again.”

BACKGROUND …

Not Only Has Brown Voted To Raise Gas Prices

In 1993, Sherrod Brown Voted For A Budget That Included A 4.3-Cent-Per-Gallon Federal Gas Tax Increase. “Adoption of the conference report to reduce the deficit by an estimated $496 billion over five years through almost $241 billion in additional taxes and $255 billion in spending cuts by closely tracking President Clinton’s economic proposals. Of the cuts in the bill, $102 billion would come through a freeze of discretionary spending at fiscal 1993 levels through fiscal 1998. Proposals in the bill include: a new top income tax bracket of 36 percent with a 10 percent surtax above $250,000 retroactive to Jan. 1, 1993; a tax increase on the Social Security benefits of wealthier recipients; an increase of 4.3 cents in the federal gas tax; a tax increase from 34 percent to 35 percent on corporate income above $10 million retroactive to Jan. 1, 1993; an auction of the public radio spectrum; a direct student loan program; $55.8 billion in Medicare cuts mostly through reductions in payments to providers; a delay in cost of living adjustments for military personnel; changes in federal retirement programs; a $20.8 billion expansion of the earned-income tax credit; creation of empowerment zones; an increase in spending of $500 million for childhood immunization and $2.5 billion for food stamps; a two-year extension of the research and development tax credit; a 50 percent capital gains exclusion for long-term investments in certain small businesses; and allowing the depreciation of intangible assets.” (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #406: Adopted 218-216: R 0-175; D 217-41; I -0, 8/5/93, Brown Voted Yea)

Brown Has Also Opposed Fully Expanding Our Domestic Energy Supply

Brown Voted Against Approval Of The Keystone XL Pipeline. “Hoeven, R-N.D., amendment no. 1537 that would provide for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline between Canada and the United States. It would require that the route for the pipeline in Nebraska be submitted by the state of Nebraska. It also would provide for certain environmental protections.” (S. 1813, CQ Vote #34: Rejected 56-42: R 45-0; D 11-40; I 0-2, 3/8/12, Brown Voted Nay)

• Brown Voted For An Amendment That Would Have Prohibited The Export Of Crude Oil Transported By The Keystone Pipeline. “Wyden, D-Ore., amendment no. 1817 that would prohibit the export of crude oil transported by the Keystone XL pipeline and related facilities unless the prohibition is waived by the president, and require the use of U.S. iron, steel and manufactured goods in the construction of the pipeline, with certain exceptions.” (S. 1813, CQ Vote #33: Rejected 33-65: R 0-45; D 32-19; I 1-1, 3/8/12, Brown Voted Yea)

In 2011, Brown Voted Against A Bill That Would Have Directed The Interior Department To Sell Leases In The Gulf, And Off The Coasts Of Virginia And Alaska. “Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would direct the Interior Department to conduct previously scheduled lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coasts of Virginia and Alaska. It also would extend, for one year, leases that were stalled by a 2010 drilling moratorium.” (S. 953, CQ Vote #73: Motion rejected by 42-57: R 42-5; D 0-50, I 0-2, 5/18/11, Brown Voted Nay)

In 2006, Brown Voted Against A Bill That Would Have Authorized Leases For Oil And Gas Exploration, Development And Production In Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. “Passage of the bill that would authorize the Interior Department to grant leases for oil and gas exploration, development, and production in the coastal plain of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). It would allow the first lease sale of at least 200,000 acres to be held within 22 months of the bill’s enactment. It would declare a 1987 environmental impact statement sufficient for the Interior Department to begin the sales. Lessees would be required to pay the federal government royalties of at least 12.5 percent of the product value removed or sold as determined by the agency. Half of the rental and royalty revenues would be paid to Alaska and half would go to the federal government. It would ban the exportation of oil pumped in ANWR and it would limit to 2,000 acres the area covered by wells, roads and other production infrastructure.” (H.R. 5429, CQ Vote #209: Passed 225-201: R 198-30; D 27-170; I 0-1, 5/25/06, Brown Voted Nay)