[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 131 (Monday, October 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              GASOLINE FOR AMERICA'S SECURITY ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 2005

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong opposition to the 
Gasoline for America's Security Act.
  We are all too aware of this government's failed response to 
Hurricane Katrina and the problems that are continuing in the 
aftermath. Despite all the issues that we must address to assist the 
victims of this disaster, some of my colleagues are attempting to use 
this tragedy as a means to push through their flawed initiatives that 
were left out of the Energy Policy Act. Fortunately, a degree of 
rationality prevailed late last night and a few of the most egregious 
provisions were removed.
  However, this bill still contains many misguided measures and 
continues the Majority's irrational economic policy of subsidizing one 
of the most successful industries--the oil and gas industry. Yet this 
direct handout of taxpayer dollars is not enough and at every 
opportunity this Congress finds ways to gut environmental regulations 
that protect the health of our citizens in order to preserve this 
unsustainable form of energy production.
  Specifically, this bill will allow cities and States to delay meeting 
Clean Air Act requirements and undermines States that are seeking to 
meet these deadlines by limiting the number of fuel blends that can be 
used. Furthermore, this bill provides an open-ended taxpayer subsidy to 
cover all the costs that an oil company may incur due to a delay in the 
initial operation of a new or upgraded oil refinery, including delays 
due to compliance with State or Federal laws or regulations.
  Time and again, we come to this floor to commemorate the lives of 
remarkable Americans that have changed the course of history. We 
recognize the importance of their contributions and the ways that they 
improved our lives. We disgrace this American legacy of ingenuity every 
time that this Congress passes these shortsighted, deeply flawed bills.
  This Nation is facing an energy crisis and a planet that is suffering 
from our mismanagement. We have the ability to become independent from 
fossil fuels and to revitalize the health of our environment. 
Scientists, researchers and business leaders across this Nation are 
standing ready to develop and make innovative technologies a reality. 
Even my constituents in New Jersey that have no connection to the 
energy industry write me with ideas and their desire to contribute to 
solving our energy problem. But instead of investing in this ingenuity 
and our Nation's future, this government keeps spending billions to 
keep America stuck in the quicksand of nonrenewable energy sources.
  I urge my colleagues to oppose this flawed bill that will do nothing 
to alleviate the energy crisis facing this Nation and removes important 
environmental regulations.

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