Speeches
Pelosi: Energy Bill Will Be ‘Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ for Energy Independence for America
12/06/2007
“My colleagues, this is a very important day for our
country. A day in which this Congress
can declare itself a Congress for the future.
A Congress for
“This vote on this legislation will be a shot heard ‘round
the world for energy independence for
“I want to begin by thanking Mr. Dingell for his exceptional
leadership as Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee. This is about
“I mention all my colleagues, these chairmen, not only to
salute them, but to say they started a process over a series of months, where
practically every member of these 11 committees of Congress had an opportunity,
Democrats and Republicans alike, to weigh in on the initial legislation which
was introduced in time for the Fourth of July, as promised, and was passed by
this Congress in the first week of August.
And it is the follow up on that legislation that we are voting on today.
“This is about our national security, it’s about jobs and
the economic security of our country, it’s about the environment, therefore
it’s a health issue, and it’s a moral issue.
That’s why we have scientists and evangelicals. We have business and labor. We have the environmental community all
strongly supporting this legislation.
And here are some of the reasons why.
I’ll give you their words.
“Over 20 generals have signed a letter saying that we have
to move in this direction in terms of reversing global warming. But specifically, the other day, we heard
from Vice Admiral Denny McGinn, and he said this: ‘Our dependence on foreign
oil is a clear and present danger to Americans.
Your vote for tough fuel economy standards is a vote for increasing our
safety and well-being.’ This is a
national security issue.
“It’s an issue that relates to our environment and therefore
the health of our children. That’s why
the Pew Charitable Trusts Campaign for Fuel Efficiency wrote: ‘If the House and
Senate finally approve this deal and the President signs it, they will all have
done more for consumers at the pump than any Congress or Administration since
the 1970s.’
“They were referencing also the fact that consumers will
save $700 to $1,000 as a result of this bill per year. And over a period of time until 2020, they will
save $22 billion. That’s why the
Consumer Federation of America is supporting this bill.
“It’s about American jobs.
The President of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers wrote: ‘We
believe this tough, national fuel economy bill will be good for both consumers
and energy security. We support its passage.’
I could submit to the record a long list of representatives of the
business community who are supporting this legislation.
“The Legislative Director of the UAW wrote: ‘We believe that
this historic measure will provide substantial energy security and
environmental benefits to our nation, while protecting and expanding jobs for
American workers.’ The list goes on.
“The national security, jobs, the environment and health of
our children and the future of this planet as well as the consumer
benefits.
“It’s an historic day because it’s been so long since we
have come to a place where we are, as has been said, over 30 years since we
have addressed this issue in this substantial way in the Congress of the
“So my friends, I ask you to think about this and take great
pride when you cast a yes vote. Many of
you are far away from your legacy, but when that day comes, I hope you will
consider this day a part of that legacy when you made history in the Congress
of the
“They are watching to see what we do. This legislation is as immediate to them as
the price at the pump they face when they fill up their tanks. This is as immediate to them as they are
heating their homes. It’s as global as
preserving this planet, and if you believe, as I think all of us do, that this
is God’s creation, then we have a moral responsibility to preserve it. That’s why we have strong support from the
religious community, including the evangelical community. I hope you will take this act in faith today
to make history and to make progress for the American people, especially to
declare this the children’s Congress.
“Thank you, my colleagues.
I urge a yes vote.”