Pelosi: House Propelled America's Energy Policy Into the Future With Passage of Energy Independence Bill
'Today, the House propelled America's energy policy into the future with the passage of the 'New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act.' Energy independence is a national security issue, an economic issue, an environmental and health issue, and a moral issue.
'This planet is God's creation; we have a moral responsibility to protect it. That's why we were able to put together on various aspects of this bill, faith-based groups and concerned scientists, business and labor, and of course, the environmental community.
'Ten committees worked hard for months to develop the legislation, and I salute the leadership of many of those Committees gathered here this evening.
'With broad, bipartisan input, almost every Member of Congress had some review of this legislation. It's also interesting that the Renewable Electricity Standard is now included in the bill. That was a remarkable achievement with a big strong vote. It signals real change in the Congress of the United States on how we review renewable resources. And with Renewable Electricity Standard, setting a standard is a very important incentive for the business side and others to produce the technological advances for it to succeed.
'A new coalition is forming in the Congress. The legislation proves that energy production, job creation, and environmental protection can be achieved all at once, which is why a new coalition of labor and environmental groups have come together to endorse our bill. It is a remarkable development that shows what cooperation and consultation can achieve.
'It's been a remarkable week for us. We began this Congress with the first 100 hours. Last Friday, we passed the 9/11 Commission recommendations, H.R.1, the first bill introduced into the Congress by this new majority - to make America safer. That bill was passed then and it has already been signed by the President. We also passed our farm bill last Friday. At the beginning of this week, we passed our lobby reform act. The crown jewel of the week being the SCHIP bill, with Mr. Dingell and Mr. Rangel in the lead on that critical legislation.
'Again, a break from the past. A realignment of priorities. A New Direction for America. Almost at the same time, Chairman Oberstar had his WRDA bill, the Water Resources Development Act, which is very important to our country. And then of course today, at the same time, passing all of our appropriations bills, the last one on the floor this evening, the defense appropriations bill.
'And then today, this was a flagship issue for my Speakership, that we get this energy bill passed, because it represented real change and a New Direction. It represented a break from the past. It represented a decision on the part of the Congress of United States, the House of Representatives, to make a decision for the future and not the status quo.
'So it is with the greatest respect, admiration, and delight that I recognize the work of our distinguished chairmen, who made all this possible. We're going to hear from them in a moment. I first want to yield to my colleague, the distinguished Majority Leader of the House, who worked so hard to make all of this success possible, Mr. Hoyer.'