Louise Slaughter

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. May I inquire if my colleague has more speakers?

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon, a member of the Committees on Natural Resources and Transportation, Mr. DeFazio.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, this whole debate boils down to one issue today: whose side are you on? Which side are you on, the side of the persons who sent you here, your constituents and the businesses that you represent, or are you on the side of the oil companies? I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule. The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Washington is as follows: Amendment to H. Res. 1433 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Washington Strike all after the resolved clause and add the following: That immediately upon the adoption of this resolution the House shall, without intervention of any point of order, consider in the House the bill (H.R. 6899) to advance the national security interests of the United States by reducing its dependency on oil through renewable and clean, alternative fuel technologies while building a bridge to the future through expanded access to Federal oil and natural gas resources, revising the relationship between the oil and gas industry and the consumers who own those resources and deserve a fair return from the development of publicly owned oil and gas, ending tax subsidies for large oil and gas companies, and facilitating energy efficiencies in the building, housing, and transportation sectors, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions of the bill are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) three hours of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources; (2) an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act, as introduced, if offered by Representative Boehner of Ohio or his designee, which shall be in order without intervention of any point of order or demand for division of the question, shall be considered as read, and shall be separately debatable for 3 hours equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent; and (3) one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. General Leave

Ms. SLAUGHTER. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 1433 provides a closed rule for consideration of H.R. 6899, the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act. The resolution provides 3 hours of debate on the bill, controlled by the Committee on Natural Resources. Mr. Speaker, American families and businesses from every city, town and village across our districts are struggling with the skyrocketing gas prices and ever-increasing energy costs, which have obviously gone over into the cost of food and every other commodity that we use. The American people are calling out for relief, which is why we have this comprehensive energy package before us today. In considering this legislation, we must ask ourselves: How did our great Nation get into this terrible place concerning energy in the first place? Eight years ago, two oilmen took the reins of America's energy policy, and they never looked back. They held secret, closed door meetings with Big Oil and energy companies at a tremendous cost to the American people. And the Republican Congress supported them every step of the way. To this day, we do not know about the secret meetings that the Vice President held. Just this past summer, the American people struggled through an excessive speculation crisis when oil prices jumped over $150 a barrel. Of course, when the Democrats threatened to rein in speculators, they pulled over $39 billion out of the futures market. We must address speculation before we leave this session. Because now, the oil prices are hovering over $90 a barrel, and we cannot let that go uncared for. Just last week, we saw the havoc that the Bush-Cheney energy policies have wreaked when the Interior Department's Inspector General reported that administration employees at the Minerals Management Service, who were supposed to be regulating oil royalties, were literally accepting improper gifts and engaging in unethical conduct, such as having sex at parties, using drugs with persons, employees of the oil companies. They were literally, Mr. Speaker, in bed with each other. My colleagues across the aisle say they want to change the energy policy, but their record certainly proves differently. The very same Republicans voted ``no'' to the first new vehicle efficiency standards in 32 years that would have saved $1,000 in fuel costs per car per year. They said ``no'' to recouping the royalties that the oil companies failed to pay to taxpayers. They said ``no'' to curbing excessive speculation in the energy futures markets, and ``no'' to requiring the oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres of Federal land that they already control nationwide, and the list goes on and on. Mr. Speaker, if the other party has its way in energy, we will have more of the same Bush-Cheney energy policy written by and for the oil companies. They would help Big Oil to get more public land owned by every American, more American oil, more taxpayer dollars, and continuing record profits while American families and businesses get stuck paying record prices at the pump and heating prices. Mr. Speaker, today this comprehensive bill presents the administration and its allies in Congress with a clear choice on energy. Either side with the American taxpayer, side with the people who sent you here to vote and vote for this, or side with the Big Oil companies who have had the largest profits in the history of mankind and certainly do not need more tax breaks from the American public. Now, there are significant differences between the Bush administration's policy that got us into this mess and the plan before us today. This package is an energy package for a 21st century policy that will help Americans to reclaim a clean energy future. And the choice is very clear, as I said before, which side are you on? The bill addresses America's energy crisis in both the short term and the long term. By releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, we will immediately lower prices at the pump for American families struggling with high gas costs. And we will replace the oil at the reserve as the gas prices stabilize. Meanwhile, by investing billions of dollars over the long term in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and mass transportation, we will harness innovation and create good-paying American jobs while strengthening our energy security. By expanding the access to offshore oil reserves and encouraging responsible drilling, the bill promotes more exploration and will lead to increased domestic energy production. By promoting energy efficiency and conservation in buildings, through upgraded building codes and incentives for energy-efficient construction, the bill would lead to reduced energy use and lower utility prices. In light of the Inspector General report from the Interior Department showing that the Minerals Management Service employees were accepting gifts from the oil companies and engaging in unethical conduct, this bill would subject the MMS employees to a higher ethical standard and make it a Federal offense for oil companies to provide them with gifts of any kind. At the same time, by providing more funding for home heating assistance, we ensure that seniors and other vulnerable populations do not have to choose between food and heating oil. Under this bill, we would enact our first national renewable electricity standard. The power companies would be required to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020, reducing the air pollution from power plants and helping address the threat of global warming. As Americans use more public transportation in the face of high gas prices, this bill will help the transit agencies deal with the added costs of increased ridership by providing $1.7 billion in grants. And at the same time, with the record-breaking oil company profits, it requires the oil companies to pay their fair share by repealing the tax subsidies they do not need and by requiring that the Federal Government collect the oil royalties due to the American people. That's one of the reasons why reform at the committee is so important. This comprehensive energy legislation is the result of a serious compromise on the part of this Congress to bring down prices now and to invest in a clean renewable future. It will provide America with the American-owned energy policy that this administration has failed to deliver in the last 8 years. Mr. Speaker, there are precious few moments in each of our lives where we have a chance to do something that profoundly affects not only our own lives but the lives of future generations. Today, we do have a choice. Do we want to continue on the same dangerous energy policies of the past or do we want to invest in a clean energy future that will help to ease consumer costs in the short term while putting the Nation on a path to a clean energy future that will create a stronger and safer America? Our energy choices will not only affect Americans who are suffering at the pump but profoundly affect the future of life on this planet. Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford more of the same when it comes to this administration's energy policy. We are all proud Americans, but it is time we start acting like Americans once again. Our great Nation is known around the world for dreaming big and for reaching those dreams. When President Kennedy set a goal to put a man on the Moon in 10 years, America got to work and did it. It is time to set big goals and work diligently to achieve them, and that's exactly what this bill does. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make history by supporting this comprehensive bill that sets the country back on track to a clean energy future and finally begins to break our dangerous addiction to oil which we have been promising to break for at least the last 30 years. The world deserves nothing less. [From the Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, July 30, 2008] The GOP Energy Plan: None of the Above Republicans may talk a good game, but their actions speak louder than words. Republicans have voted against the critical solutions that must be part of a comprehensive New Direction for Energy Independence. They voted against renewable energy and conservation, responsible domestic oil production, short-term measures to bring down prices now and punish those who are manipulating the oil market, and new requirements that oil companies pay their fair share. Instead of working on behalf of American families and businesses, the House Republicans ``all of the above'' energy plan simply rehashes failed ideas on domestic drilling or proposes ideas that Republicans have repeatedly blocked in the past. Their all-out legislative battle in recent years to protect the record profits of oil companies earning record profits has earned them the moniker ``Grand Oil Party.'' Americans paying $4 a gallon thanks to an energy policy literally written by the oil industry cannot afford this the GOP's ``none of the above'' energy plan. The Republican leadership's ``none of the above'' record: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Use it, or Price Renewable NOPEC price Public Energy Free our oil Drill act lose it gouging energy fixing transit security -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Boehner, Republican Leader......... NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO Roy Blunt, Republican Whip.............. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO ............ Adam Putnam, Conference Chairman........ NO NO NO NO NO ............ NO ............ Thaddeus McCotter, Policy Committee NO NO NO ............ NO ............ ............ NO Chairman............................... Kay Granger, Conference Vice-Chair...... NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO John Carter, Conference Secretary....... NO NO NO NO ............ NO NO NO Tom Cole, Chairman, National Republican NO NO NO NO NO NO ............ NO Congressional Committee................ Eric Cantor, Chief Deputy Whip.......... NO NO NO NO NO ............ NO NO David Dreier, Rules Committee Ranking NO NO NO NO NO ............ NO ............ Republican.............................

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Vermont, a member of the Rules Committee, Mr. Welch.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida, a member of the Committee on Rules, Ms. Castor.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California, the Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources, Mr. Miller.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have left?

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1433 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the point of order is about whether to consider the rule and ultimately the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act. In fact, I would say this is simply an effort to kill the bill. In the midst of the energy crisis, the bill takes important steps towards increasing domestic energy production, encouraging the development of alternative fuels and cutting down on the corruption between the Bush administration regulators and the oil industry. By expanding access to offshore oil reserves, the bill encourages oil exploration and could lead to increased domestic energy production. By releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the bill will lead quickly to reducing prices at the pump. In light of an Inspector General report showing that Minerals Management Service employees were accepting gifts from the oil companies they regulate, engaging in unethical sexual and drug conduct, this bill would subject the MMS employees to higher ethical standards and make it a Federal offense for oil companies to provide gifts for MMS employees. By promoting energy efficiency and conservation in buildings, through updated building codes and incentives for energy-efficient construction, this bill will lead to reduced energy use and lower utility bills. At the same time, by providing more funding for home heating assistance, we ensure that seniors and other vulnerable populations will not have to choose between food and heating oil. By providing incentives and support for development and deployment of domestic alternative energy technologies, the bill will promote energy security for the United States. Under this bill, power companies would be required to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020, reducing air pollution from power plants and helping to address the threat of climate change. As Americans use more public transportation in the face of high gas prices, this bill will help transit agencies deal with added costs and increased ridership by providing $1.7 billion in grants. At a time of record-breaking oil company profits, the bill will require the oil companies to pay their fair share by repealing tax subsidies that they certainly don't need, and by closing a royalty loophole in lease agreements from 1998 and 1999. In short, the bill is a much-needed compromise approach to a widespread crisis facing our country. This is simply a case today whether we support, with our votes, the oil companies or the consumers and the citizens of the United States. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to consider the rule and reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts, the chairman of the Select Committee on Energy, Independence and Global Warming, Mr. Markey.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how many more speakers my colleague has?

Ms. SLAUGHTER. All right. Then I shall wait to close.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. I have one more, but I only have about half a minute left, so it is going to be very brief. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 570, I was unable to vote because I was chairing a Rules Committee meeting. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from the Rules Committee and also from Florida (Ms. Castor).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).