[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H1608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          GOLDEN JACKPOT AWARD GOES TO THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY

  (Mr. WAXMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I am announcing the new winner of the 
Golden Jackpot Award which has been created to recognize indefensible 
government decisions that benefit special interests at the expense of 
the public interest.
  There are two worthy contestants for today's award. The recent Bush 
administration decision to eliminate contraceptive coverage for women 
in the Federal health insurance plans and to freeze funding for family 
planning programs is an amazing example of a ridiculous policy aimed at 
satisfying right-wing groups that cannot distinguish between abortion 
and family planning.
  Even this incredible decision pales next to Energy Secretary Spencer 
Abraham's rollback of air conditioner efficiency standards at a time 
when America is facing its worst energy problems in 25 years. This is 
an obscure decision that has enormous implications. Because of the 
rollback, the United States will have to build over 40 new power plants 
by the year 2020.
  The action benefits the manufacturers of air conditioners who 
contributed heavily to President Bush and Republicans, but it is a 
disaster for the American people, and Californians in particular. I 
give this award to Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham.

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