[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 20802]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      ENERGY BILL AND OUR ECONOMY

  (Mr. SMITH of Nebraska asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, one needs to look no further than 
the headlines in our Nation's newspapers to see the consequences of 
doing nothing with regard to the energy crisis facing our Nation.
  We have stood idly by while skyrocketing fuel and energy prices 
undercut consumer confidence and are partially responsible for our 
current economic straits. But instead of passing a comprehensive energy 
bill in which all forms of energy were on the table, last week we took 
up legislation which will not only prove ineffective, but I believe 
counterproductive.
  It was a bill written behind closed doors, with no input from 
Republicans, and even many Democrats wishing to participate. It 
bypassed the Natural Resources Committee and was brought to the floor 
under a closed rule, freezing out members of both parties, all after a 
promise of the most open Congress in history.
  Mr. Speaker, let's not make the same mistake this week. We still have 
time. Bring the American Energy Act to the floor for a vote before we 
adjourn, and we can help address the crisis facing our Nation.

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