[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 78 (Thursday, June 7, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H2960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  AMERICA NEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD ON AN ENERGY PLAN THAT IS CONCISE AND 
                      RESPONSIVE TO ALL AMERICANS

  (Mr. RODRIGUEZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the President has released his long-
awaited energy plan. The President has proposed nothing that deals with 
the immediate energy crisis in California and the Pacific Northwest, or 
the crisis that may be looming in the New England area or the rising 
gasoline prices.
  Instead, he said that the tax cut proposal will help consumers with 
the increased energy situation. However, these tax cut reductions will 
not take place until the year 2006. In addition, the tax cuts when you 
look at the 45 percent of the $1.6 trillion tax cut, will benefit 1 
percent of the richest in the country. Middle America that makes 
$44,000 a year, 60 percent of Americans that make $44,000, are going to 
receive less than 13 percent of this tax cut.
  Mr. Speaker, so when we look at the President's proposal in energy, 
it does not take into consideration conservation activities that need 
to take place by all Americans, including the Federal Government; not 
to mention the fact that we need to make sure that as we look in terms 
of our energy situation, we plan for the future by investing in 
America. We believe that the balanced energy policy is ill advised, and 
we need to move forward on an energy plan that is concise and make sure 
that it is responsive to all Americans.

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