Pelosi Remarks at Press Conference Unveiling 'Make It In America' Clean Energy Jobs Initiative
Washington, D.C. - Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats held a press conference this afternoon in the Capitol to unveil the "Make It In America - Clean Energy Jobs Now" initiative to lower gas prices, end taxpayer dollars to Big Oil, and invest in a stronger economy. Below are the Leader's opening remarks and a transcript of the question and answer session.
Leader Pelosi Opening Remarks:
"Good afternoon. Thank you for being available. As you know, we had 11 votes at 1:30, so it prevented us from being here earlier in the day. As you know, as we gather here, American consumers are paying a big price at the pump with gas prices going sky high while oil companies raked in $30 billion in profit in the first quarter, the big five oil companies. But Republicans keep insisting that taxpayers continue to give tax subsidies to Big Oil. And the Republicans insist on just presenting drill-only bills, which do nothing to bring down the price at the pump now.
"Last week, we gave Republicans a chance to vote to end one of the most egregious subsidies to Big Oil, but they said no. Seven times this year, we have given Republicans a chance, and seven times they have voted against holding Big Oil accountable and providing relief to consumers.
"Today, Democrats are proposing a plan called ‘Make It in America - Clean Energy Jobs Now.' It's a plan to invest in American energy, put consumers first, and create jobs. Again, as you may know and remember, we announced [last week] the Taxpayer and Gas Price Relief Act, sponsored by Congressman Bishop of New York, to eliminate those tax breaks for the five largest oil companies, saving the taxpayers $31 billion over 10 years. Just think of it. That bill, which the Republicans said no to, would save the taxpayers $31 billion over 10 years because they said the oil companies really needed that money, when they made over $30 billion in the first quarter of this year, the big five.
"Today, we are putting two more measures on the table. Increasing American Energy Production Now Act - that's being sponsored by Congressman Connolly of Virginia. And he's here to talk about enacting the recommendations of the bipartisan BP Oil Spill Commission, and he will describe the legislation.
"And the Building Our Clean Energy Future Now Act - sponsored by Congressman Cicilline - encouraging new alternatives in transportation and how we build our infrastructure and developing and manufacturing advanced vehicle technologies.
"There is a markup in the Energy and Commerce Committee, so Congresswoman Eshoo was going to talk about electric cars, and Mr. Waxman about new technologies for the future, may or may not be here for that but we will hear from the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, John Larson, to talk about an initiative he is very passionate about, and that's natural gas. And Mr. Markey, who has led the way, written the books, preached the gospel on how we can be much more energy efficient in our country, save the taxpayers' dollars, and protect the consumers. So now that I have introduced them, you will hear from them in order. And I thank in advance, all of them, for their leadership. And I am pleased to yield the floor to the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Connolly."
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Question and Answer Session:
Q: Madam Leader, how important is it, given the votes in this situation, for your call for the repeal of the tax breaks to go into the deficit reduction talks? And is it wrong for, if they are repealed, for that money to go strictly to the deficit instead of clean energy spending like the President has called for?
Leader Pelosi. Well, I don't think it's wrong. I think to reduce the deficit is very important to us. We know how to do it. We know it's urgent. We had to clean up after the Republicans in the 90s. Now, we have to do it again, in that respect.
But I think that if we say, did two to one, two thirds to deficit reduction, I think it's really important. If Mr. Waxman were here, he would say it will help reduce the deficit if we invest in the new technologies so that we can preeminent in that regard. But we have able representatives at the table, Mr. Clyburn, [Assistant] Leader Clyburn and Mr. Van Hollen, who have an open mind on all of this.
But we think a two to one ratio, most of it going for deficit reduction. But you can't just go out there and say, get rid of the tax breaks for Big Oil without having something else to offer. And that something else to offer must be paid for, and that something else to offer are the new technologies, some of which our colleagues talked about here and in their legislation many more examples--electric cars, trucks fueled by natural gas, you heard about that.
Again, this has been a high priority for us to reduce our dependence on foreign oil as a national security issue but as a jobs, jobs, jobs in America issue as well.
Yes, ma'am.
Q: Particularly on the Medicare piece, do you agree that the Republican solution is politically suicidal, and do you think that they could risk losing seats in 2012 because of the way Medicare is treated in the Ryan budget?
Leader Pelosi. Well, let me just say what we're about. We're about protecting Medicare. Democrats created Medicare. It is an important pillar for America's seniors and those who depend on Medicare, and it is a priority and a commitment for us to preserve it. The debate is an open one in the public. The Republicans are committed, it seems, to changing Medicare and making a voucher system, saying to Granny, that would be me, "Go out there, and fend for yourself with the insurance companies." I just don't think that's a pillar of stability.
So the voters will tell whether it's harmful politically. It seems to be, and, as you know, there are some indications already that it might be harmful. Well, don't take my word for it. The Republicans in the Senate have said they are not putting in the bill because of the harsh treatment that they saw--I think they maybe even used the word brutal--reception that it received during the Easter break.
Mr. Markey has said that it is suicidal, so I am sure he stands by it.
Congressman Edward Markey. Absolutely.
Congressman Gerald Connolly. I, for one, don't think it is suicidal, and I hope that they'll stick to their guns. [Laughter.]
Leader Pelosi. Thank you, Mr. Connolly. Whatever it is, they've taken the vote. They have shown their hand. They have taken the vote, and that is an important difference between Democrats and Republicans. But the fact that at the same time, as that they would say to seniors: "You are now on a voucher. You are going to pay at least $6,000 more for fewer benefits while we give big subsidies to Big Oil. At the same time as we say to seniors that in the cuts in Medicaid, block granting Medicaid, seniors may have to leave nursing homes while we give tax breaks to businesses to send jobs overseas. And while we say cut education and make higher education more expensive for nearly 10 million young adults, college-age adults, while we give tax cuts to the wealthiest people in America."
I think that those priorities are out of wack. And I think the impact that they have on seniors and their families and on young people and their prospects for college and the future will be what the American people will make a judgment about.
Q: I have a question on the Medicare [inaudible], you said there was some indication that it's having an impact. Evidently, Donald Trump earlier today said he thinks it's affecting the special election in New York. Just wondering if you agree with that [laughter, inaudible] in the special election. And how optimistic are you that Democrats could pick up that seat?
Leader Pelosi. Well, without actually seeing the words that Donald Trump used, I am reluctant to say that I agree with it because I don't know what it is. But there certainly is a race that was not one that was in play, and now it is. Any of my other colleagues want to, Mr. Larson may want to say something on that subject, our distinguished Chair of our House Democratic Caucus.
Chairman John Larson. Well, we always like to trump the Donald, but nonetheless, no, I just, I think, again, with regard to this whole issue, with respect to, forgive me here, the Donald, we don't pay an awful lot of attention to what he has to say, but I think the fact that we have an opportunity here in New York--and it's driven by common sense. It's driven by what the people in the state of New York are feeling about this current environment and the proposals that emanate from the other side of the aisle, including their presidential candidates, so we feel hopeful that we'll prevail against all odds in this circumstance. But we thank Donald for joining the choir.
Congressman Edward Markey. Medicare has razorblade sharp edges. It is drawing political blood in New York as it is going across this country as the Republicans try to cut back on something that is a commitment to senior men and women in our country.
Leader Pelosi. I think that, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. It may be worth more than that in votes when you see this demonstration here of an oil rig drilling down into Medicare in order to take money from there to give tax subsidies to Big Oil. The combination is an explosive one. It's up the people of New York how the election will go, but it's up to us to make clear what the choice is in the whole country. This does not just affect seniors. It affects their families. It affects others who are on Medicare, and again, the Medicaid piece is one that affects children and other in our country, but it affects seniors--very, very directly-- and who are in nursing homes. There is something like 20 percent of the people who benefit from Medicaid are seniors [and Americans with disabilities] but over 60 percent of the funding goes to seniors [and people with disabilities], largely to those in nursing homes. If they have to leave those nursing homes, they are moving in with you.
Q: Madam Leader, speaking of presidential candidates, former Speaker Gingrich was on the Hill today. He started off his day here. We all hear he is going to announce he is running for president. What are your thoughts about that since you have known him?
Leader Pelosi. What are my thoughts on that? I really haven't paid very much attention to it. I think the Republican field is up to them, and it is up to Republicans to decide what they think about the candidates that they have going for it. I am really more paying attention to the fact that President Obama was 60 percent in the poll that came out earlier today. I think he has been a great president. I think he will be reelected as President of the United States, and when he does, he will serve with a Democratic Congress. Thank you all very much.