Transcript of Pelosi Remarks at Press Conference on Inflation Reduction Act

Lafayette, CO – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined Congressman Joe Neguse for a press conference following a roundtable discussion on the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on scientific research and innovation across the country. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you. Thank you very much, Congressman Neguse, for your leadership in the Congress on this very vital subject. It's clear to see the intellectual resource you are to the Congress on the subject of preserving our planet For The Children – springs from your District and from this incredible resource here.

I want to say thank you to you, Doctor, for your – I want to make sure I say this Italian name correctly. Dr. Busalacchi and Dr. Joseph, thank you also for your leadership and to all of the scientists and leaders that we heard from today. For giving us a clear path, giving us hope. Really, it was such a treat to not only see the facility, which is remarkable, but also the people who are working – Tim gave us, Tim Barnes, wherever he is, gaveus a wonderful tour. He knows his way around – he knows his way around the climate crisis, clearly. But all of you do.

So here we are, at a place where we have worked for a long time to arrive at. A time where the Congress of the United States, signed by the President, allocated $370 billion. That's a huge amount of money for one of my – four of my favorite subjects: science, science, science and science.

[Laughter]

In every aspect. It's an issue that is as important to our children as the air they breathe, the water they drink. It's as important as the jobs that we create – clean tech jobs, making us preeminent in the world. It's about national security, about how we want to save the planet and be a resource to the rest of the world. And we can be that – do that through technology and science, which is here. Which is here and your other manifestations. It's to help other countries address the climate crisis.

And again, the security people tell us that this is a security issue, because the conflict over resources and habitat and adaptation, all of those things can be cause of conflict. But most importantly, For The Children, it is our moral responsibility — it's a moral responsibility to preserve the planet for them and pass it on to future generations. The Pope has spoken out about it just this week. The President of the United States has made it an urgent matter just these last few days. And we were very proud to pass the legislation.

Now just to say that, because Congressman Neguse talked about the hearing that was held here by the Select Committee on which he is a leader. That Committee's recommendations, some of the recommendations springing from their visit here for a site visit, are really – make up what is in the legislation. It was legislation put together by listening to scientists and to listening to people of faith who believe this is God's creation, listening to, as I said, natural – national security people, scientists as well as, again, people of faith.

A big contrast, environmentalist and labor unions, environmentalists in the business community, farmers, venture capitalists, every aspect of an economy and of a society that would have something to do with it. Listening to our tribal communities as to how they saw this, and how we went forward. It was what we heard today, to do so with diversity to address underserved communities in a way that ends their being underserved, and have better ideas for how we go into the future.

So as I said in the room there, when this bill passed, we jumped with joy. It was just a cause for great celebration, because it was it was just addressing the gift that science is to us, recognizing the tremendous challenge that we face. We see it every day, whether it's floods or fires or droughts or storms, you name it, the evidence is very clear. The science to address it is here. And the funds to make sure that we do the best we can are in this legislation For The Children.

With that, I yield back to my distinguished Chair – my distinguished colleague, who again was a very important part of the legislation that was formed by the Select Committee, springing from this community and, again, being a major part of the Inflation Reduction Act and having an impact, also, on the CHIPS Act and the diversity that is insisted upon in that legislation.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for what you do. You give us hope. Thank God you're here. If you weren't, you'd have to be invented, and that would take time. So as I said to you in there, one thing we can be sure, and I can take back to Washington, because of you. The challenge that we face is a great one, but because of you, we are ready. I yield back. Thank you.

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Q. Madam Speaker, I'm wondering if you're meeting with Yadira Caraveo and Brittany Pettersen on this visit and how you're feeling about the respective races as well…

Speaker Pelosi. Well, I'm happy to answer that question. But first, can we stay with the subject that we have right here? Any questions about what you've heard or have your questions been anticipated by the beautiful presentations we saw inside? Yes, sir.

Q. The Inflation Reduction Act includes money for the Colorado River, but what will the Congress do further help states resolve the shortage of funds issues they're having?

Speaker Pelosi. Did you want to speak about the river and then I'll go –

Congressman Neguse. Sure. Well, as you referenced, the Inflation Reduction Act includes about a $5 billion investment for drought resiliency that includes both lower basin states like California, as the Speaker knows, but also upper basin states, like Colorado, thanks to the efforts of many in Congress, including Michael Bennet, Senator Bennet, who was instrumental in making sure that the upper basin states were represented. Grand County happens to be in my Congressional District about a couple hours west of here, Madam Speaker, the headwaters of the Colorado River are here in the Second Congressional District, so incredibly important to the future of our state.

But as you have obliquely referenced, it is but a down payment, really, for the drought resiliency efforts that are going to have to take place over the ensuing decade, when you're thinking about a two to four million acre feet shortage on the Colorado River. That is an epic, epic challenge that's facing roughly 30 to 35 million people in the southwest part of our country. So there's more we need to do. The water conservation projects that will be funded through the Inflation Reduction Act will have a really positive impact. But clearly, we're going to continue to work with the Bureau of Reclamation so that we can calibrate the actions we take in Congress to support what's happening on the ground.

Speaker Pelosi. And when that is viewed by the Congress, it will be clear that more needs to be done. While we jump with joy, we never said this is all we need to do.

Q. Will you give more to states as they struggle to negotiate over this?

Speaker Pelosi. Well, it is – again, we all are coming from states that have these challenges. And it's not a question of what we tell them. It's how we listen to them as to what the best possible path is to go forward. But if we get a running start with some of the resources, we can see a clearer path, rather than just coming with nothing and saying, ‘Well, what would you do next?' No, listen, learn, and listen to the people. Because again, as we said in there, the views of the social scientists as well as the elected officials who have a firsthand knowledge of what is needed in their areas, and the scientists who have some of the solutions that we have. So this is by no means the end of it at all. Thank you. We'll go back to your question.

Q. Yes, sorry. Are you meeting with Yadira Caraveo and Brittney Pettersen on this trip? I'm wondering how you're feeling about their chances in their respective races in Colorado's 8th and 7th Congressional Districts?

Speaker Pelosi. Well, yes, I will be seeing them on this trip. We have a lot of other work to do before then, but I will be seeing them later this evening. And we're very excited about their candidacies. They, on these subjects that we've talked about today, they are informed and experienced leaders, they will bring the experience of Colorado to the Congress in a very strong way. They've served their communities. They understood – they know Colorado, and they will know the Congress. So they are high priorities for us, both of them. And I look forward to seeing them later this evening.

But, again, whether we're talking about climate, or we're talking about guns, or we're talking about education, we're talking about our children. Everything that is about their health, their education, the economic security of their families, that – clean, healthy place for them to thrive, including freedom from gun safety. And, again, just leadership from this state, For The Children we're very excited about their candidacy. Would you like to say something with them?

Congressman Neguse. Oh, I would just simply say they're both incredibly talented candidates. They're public servants who have served our state admirably in the state legislature, as you know. And I both – consider both of them to be also good friends. And I have every expectation that I'll be serving with them in Congress in the 118th. With that, we want to say again –

Speaker Pelosi. They are high priorities for us.

Congressman Neguse. Yes. And they are top priorities. Oh, one more question. Yes? Yes, ma'am?

Q. In regards to the 7th and 8th Congressional Districts, how closely have you been following those races and how confident are you that Democrats will keep the House?

Congressman Neguse. I think the question was around the Eighth Congressional District and sort of prognosticating about the fortunes in the election. And I guess I would just, again, echo what the Speaker mentioned previously, which is candidates matter, and having talented individuals who have a record of distinguished public service to our state. I believe that, ultimately, they are going to prevail in terms of both Representative Caraveo and Senator Pettersen. So.

Speaker Pelosi. I know we're not here in a political venue. So, I hesitate to go too far down the path. But you asked, two of you asked. And we have absolutely every intention of holding the House. And the path to that victory comes right through Colorado, and having two women – with all due respect. Our Caucus is over 70 percent women, people of color, LGBTQ. We're very proud of that. And Colorado continues to enhance our numbers in that regard.

The leadership of Joe Neguse, very important. He's a member of the House Democratic leadership. I wanted to be sure you knew that, in addition to being a great Representative of his District. But we want the best for him. And that means serving in the Majority, which we fully intend to do.

Thank you.

Congressman Neguse. Thank you, again, to the Speaker who has a very busy schedule, for coming to Colorado.