Senator John Cornyn

Filmed in Sweetwater, Texas

For more than a century, Texas has been a national leader in energy production, and later the world leader in energy technology. The U.S. is beginning a long transition from full reliance on traditional oil and gas to development of alternative energy supplies, including renewable sources such as wind and solar. As it does so, Senator John Cornyn is a strong advocate for keeping Texas at the forefront in all aspects of energy development.

The stakes in this effort are high. As the U.S. and world economies grow, ever increasing amounts of energy will be required. “Congress can do many things, but it cannot repeal the law of supply and demand,” Senator Cornyn says. Instead of picking and choosing by Washington politicians and bureaucrats, Senator Cornyn has a clear, direct market solution to our longterm energy needs: All of the above. He supports pursuit of all viable ideas for new domestic energy production – including exploration in Alaska and offshore, oil shale, clean coal, nuclear, wind, solar, biofuels, hydrogen – aggressively promoted by private and public parties, where appropriate.

The U.S. will not soon become completely energy independent, at least in the short run. That means U.S. energy companies should be encouraged to produce more traditional energy now in an environmentally sensitive way even while they actively pursue the energy ideas of the future. Higher taxes and punishing regulations do nothing to advance those goals. Senator Cornyn believes Washington should get out of the way, stop blocking production of U.S. energy, and allow the marketplace to produce the energy needed for our growing economy.

“In my view, the solution is straightforward. We need more energy. Government should get out of the way, let the free market work and allow more domestic energy production. This would reduce gas prices even in the near-term, expand job opportunities in Texas—a world energy leader—and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn

• Most recently, Sen. Cornyn co-sponsored and voted for The American Energy Production Act in May 2008, which strengthens domestic energy production by increasing refinery capacity and energy exploration by exploring in ANWR, additional outer continental shelves, and shale areas.
• Sen. Cornyn supports ANWR, in addition to other offshore drilling and exploration. ANWR would produce up to 1 million barrels per day, which is more oil than any other state in the U.S. In addition, ANWR would provide jobs to Americans and boost the economy.
  • He was an original co-sponsor of The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act.
  • He has voted for ANWR exploration at least 7 times during his time in the Senate.
• Sen. Cornyn voted for comprehensive energy bills in 2003, 2005 and 2007.
• Sen. Cornyn has supported the development of renewable energy.
  • He co-sponsored and voted for The Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act.
  • He co-sponsored both EXTEND the Energy Efficiency Incentives Act of 2007 and The CREST Act.
• Sen. Cornyn has continually opposed raising taxes on domestic energy companies.
  • He voted against the windfall profits tax on several occasions.
  • He opposed amendments that included provisions to increase taxes on energy companies.
  • He also voted to require 60 votes in the Senate (instead of 50) for passage of any Senate legislation that would result in increasing the national average price of fuel.
• Sen. Cornyn supports expanding refinery capacity.
  • He said if the U.S. doesn’t “increase refinery capacity, prices will only continue to go higher.”
  • He also co-sponsored and voted for an amendment that would expand refineries.

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