WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today after an independent analysis found the U.S. economy could jettison as many as five million jobs - and $1 trillion in GDP - if key elements of the majority's 'deep-freeze' energy package were enacted into law:

"Heading into the cold winter months, many of us knew the short-term consequences of the majority's lights-out energy bill would be severe -- record home-heating costs, spiraling prices at the pump, and a volatile natural gas market. But I don't think many of us knew exactly how devastating this legislation would be if it ever became law. Thanks to this study, we now have a much better sense of what to expect: an economy with five million fewer jobs for American workers, and a total output a full $1 trillion less than it should be.

"For the millions of Americans looking to Congress to free up affordable energy supplies this winter, the anti-energy package being crafted by Democrats behind closed doors right now just won't cut it. And what's worse: The same bill that makes it tough to heat your home this winter may be the bill that makes it tough to keep your job in the future.

"As Democrats return to their districts this Thanksgiving recess -- armed with talking points detailing all they plan to do on energy -- they better be prepared to explain how an energy bill that takes domestic energy off the table will reduce the price of gas and heating oil. They better be prepared to explain how putting new restrictions on the land we use to produce energy here at home will lead to less energy being imported from foreign countries. And they better be prepared to explain why they chose to write their bill in secret - all while our competitors around the world engage in an open and aggressive campaign to produce and secure vital energy reserves for their people."

NOTE: According to an independent analysis released by CRA International, key sectors of the U.S. economy would be severely impacted if several core components of the majority's energy bill were passed into law. Some of the more profound effects include a loss of five million American jobs, a $1 trillion decrease in U.S. economic output, and $1,700 in lost income for each family in America.

Also this week, the National Petroleum Council  " http://downloadcenter.connectlive.com/events/npc071807/pdf-downloads/Final_Report/NPC_Facing_Hard_Truths.pdf  " issued a report to Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman finding that world energy demand will rise 50-60 percent by 2030 - a volume that cannot be met without the responsible use of hydrocarbons.

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt

CONTACT: Antonia Ferrier or Amos Snead, +1-202-226-7022, both of theOffice of House Republican Whip Roy Blunt