[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 42 (Thursday, March 13, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S1645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             CLIMATE CHANGE

  Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, the issue of climate change is a 
pressing issue and so I wish to commend the work of my colleagues, and 
to reiterate my concerns.
  Climate change is real. Unfortunately, while so many of my colleagues 
across the aisle talk about the need to address our debt to avoid 
burdening future generations, too many of these same Senators refuse to 
take action to address the climate debt we are passing on. Most 
frustrating of all, we know what can be done to fix this problem.
  We know the solutions to reduce pollution and emissions that cause 
climate change create good-paying jobs. Jobs that put money back in 
families' pockets through low-cost energy sources and increased 
efficiencies in homes. These solutions make our Nation more energy 
independent, and our businesses more globally competitive. They give us 
cleaner air and water, and protect the health of our children and 
grandchildren.
  I know that we can take these steps because I have seen it in my home 
State of Washington. In Washington, our biodiesel producers are 
replacing imported oil with clean, renewable, home-grown fuels. 
Companies like McKinstry, who have made a home in the Northwest, are 
leaders in helping cities, hospitals, and others create energy 
efficient, sustainable buildings.
  In the past, the United States has led the world in innovative ways 
to create energy, but recently we have ceded our clean energy 
leadership to countries like China and Germany because too many have 
stood in the way of making necessary investments. When we passed the 
Bipartisan Budget Act this past December, we proved that Democrats and 
Republicans can put ideology aside and work together to make progress 
on our Nation's challenges.
  Climate change is no less a challenge than any of the other issues we 
face, and we have a moral obligation to address it. As I have said, 
addressing this challenge will create good-paying jobs here at home in 
fields like pollution management, energy efficiency, and renewable 
energy goods. And best of all, we can pass a healthier planet on to our 
children.
  I'm hopeful that Republicans and Democrats can find common ground and 
come together to move us forward.

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