[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H2133-H2134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SMART ENERGY POLICIES, NATIONAL SECURITY AND IRAQ

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, later this week the House will vote on 
energy legislation that concerns every man and woman in America. This 
energy bill presents a terrific opportunity to reduce our Nation's 
continued dependence on petroleum by promoting clean and renewable 
energy sources. But instead of encouraging the use of renewable energy, 
this Neanderthal legislation promotes the interest of corporations 
through tax breaks that encourage air pollution, water contamination, 
and the general destruction of our environment.
  This energy legislation will harm more than our environment. 
American's continued reliance on fossil fuels is the single largest 
factor that contributes to our national insecurity. That is because we 
obtain most of our fossil fuels from the Middle East, a region where 
democracy is about as common as desert oases. By spending billions of 
dollars annually on foreign fuels, the United States supports 
autocratic regimes in countries like Saudi Arabia, Libya, and 
Venezuela.
  The citizens of oil-rich countries run by despots rarely, if ever, 
receive even a dime from these oil sales. More often than not, these 
riches line the pockets of fat-cat leaders and their cronies, instead 
of paying for projects that would help improve the lives of all the 
people in the country.
  This drastic gap in wealth between the upper and lower classes, in 
turn breeds hostility and despair among the local populace. This 
hostility, combined with the militant form of Islam that is encouraged 
by the fat-cat leaders, creates the conditions in which terrorism runs 
rampant.
  If the United States were to become fully energy independent, we 
would essentially pull the plug on the supply of money that flows to 
the Middle East much like oil through a pipeline. Therefore, the most 
effective measure we can take to address global terrorism

[[Page H2134]]

is to curb our dependence on foreign fuel. Unfortunately, this sham of 
an energy bill that we will vote on this week would do the very 
opposite, making Americans more beholden than ever to the whims and 
desires of big oil companies.
  Sadly, 150,000 United States troops are currently embroiled in a war 
in Iraq that certainly is intended to ensure that the U.S. has access 
to Middle East oil.
  President Bush and the Republican leaders in Congress claim they want 
democracy to take hold in Iraq. But if a democratic Iraq really is 
wanted, then we need to do two things right here at home.
  First, we must craft a viable national energy policy that encourages 
the development and use of renewable sources of energy. Second, we must 
remove our troops from harm's way by withdrawing United States military 
forces from Iraq, giving Iraqis and Iraqi oil back to the people of 
Iraq.
  I have introduced legislation to accomplish this: H.R. 737, the 
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Act of 2005. It establishes a 
comprehensive energy strategy that will stimulate demand for more 
efficient energy processes and unlock the vast potential of renewable 
energy sources.
  I have also introduced H. Con. Res. 35 with the support of 31 of my 
House colleagues. This legislation calls on President Bush to begin 
immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. If Iraq is as stable and 
secure as the Bush administration claims, then why does a third of our 
standing military remain there still fighting the Iraqi insurgency? Why 
do the men and women in our military continue to face gunfire and car 
bombs halfway around the world? For what cause have more than 1,500 
American solders and tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians died, with 
another 12,000-plus American soldiers gravely wounded physically and 
mentally?
  Mr. Speaker, our Nation's energy and foreign policies are 
interconnected. You cannot address one without addressing the other. 
That is why the energy legislation that will come before the House this 
week is so terribly wrong for America.
  In promoting this misguided energy bill, the Republicans in Congress 
ensure the continuation of the deep disparities of wealth in the Middle 
East. These misguided policies will encourage future acts of terrorism 
which will encourage future warfare. Instead of relying on foreign oil 
for our energy needs, let us address the source of the problem by 
employing our Nation's innovative expertise by promoting the 
advancement of clean, renewable sources of energy. This will keep our 
air and water pure; but just as important, it will help purify our 
Nation's foreign policy.

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