[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 29 (Thursday, March 14, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRESS HAS FAILED AGAIN

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday's vote in the other Chamber 
marked another sad chapter in America's inability to have an energy 
policy. Congress has failed again, as we unsuccessfully attempted to 
raise efficiency standards for the first time since 1975.
  This means that this Congress has failed again to protect the 
environment, as we continue to consume 10 percent of the world's 
petroleum supply, just to get to and from work and the mall. Even if 
they invade the Arctic, relying on the most volatile region of the 
world for most of our energy is not going to change.
  We have also failed the auto workers. Now people who want energy-
efficient vehicles will have three choices in the next model year, all 
from Japan. The next time there is an energy shortfall, it will be 
foreign manufacturers in a prime position to satisfy consumer demand.
  Most importantly, we failed the American public, the young people 
whose energy future we are squandering and the citizens that are more 
than willing to step up and meet this challenge of protecting the 
environment and conserving valuable petroleum resources.
  I hope the public loses no opportunity to tell Congress about its 
misjudgment and lack of courage.

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