IRA-backing GOPers "very encouraged" by tax credits' fate
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
IRA-supporting Republicans are optimistic as they mount a final effort to defend its energy tax credits from rollbacks — but still aren't drawing red lines.
Why it matters: Lawmakers' remarks at a conservative energy conference Wednesday expressed the most vocal support yet for the climate law ahead of next week's reconciliation markups.
- Yet the Republicans stuck to the first rule of IRA Fight Club: You can make noise, but don't go out on a limb.
- Majority Leader Steve Scalise indicated Thursday that Ways and Means would consider its portion of the bill next Tuesday.
- E&C is scheduled to mark up its reconciliation text then, after an earlier postponement.
Driving the news: Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, an influential right-of-center group, held its leadership summit a day after flying in IRA backers to visit 60 congressional offices.
What they're saying: "I'm very encouraged by what I have seen — I'm encouraged by how the conversation is now changing," said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
- Miller-Meeks, a Ways and Means member, has whipped GOP colleagues to sign two pro-IRA House letters to leadership.
- She sent another letter to leadership with a dozen signatures in support of the 48E and 45Y tech-neutral electricity tax credits.
- "The more noise we make, the more we have an opportunity to educate," Rep. Jen Kiggans said.
Reality check: The lawmakers provided zero indication they'll vote "no" should the tax credits disappear.
- "I will tell you the most important thing that I will do this year is to reauthorize the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," Miller-Meeks said when asked about the possibility.
Zoom out: Targeting IRA tax credits and unspent energy funds would help Republicans pay for tax cuts without taking a sledgehammer to Medicaid.
- Rep. Buddy Carter, who emerged from a five-hour Energy and Commerce reconciliation meeting Wednesday, said lawmakers intend to "save and stabilize and sustain the Medicaid program" by cutting elsewhere.
- "In energy, and certainly with some of the provisions in the IRA that we'll try to claw back and try to fix will be part of the package," he said.
