Pelosi: 'Remember These Four Words For What This Legislation Means: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs,...

Pelosi: 'Remember These Four Words For What This Legislation Means: Jobs,
Jobs, Jobs, and Jobs.'

WASHINGTON, June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed
the House floor this evening on the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
She commended the work and leadership of Chairmen Henry Waxman, Ed Markey,
Charles Rangel, and Collin Peterson. The bill passed in the House by a vote
of 219 to 212.

On the floor, the Speaker said: "No matter how long this Congress wants to
talk about it, we cannot hold back the future. And so, in order to move on
with the future, I want to yield back my time, submit my statement for the
record, and urge my colleagues to vote for this important legislation. And
when you do, just remember these four words for what this legislation means:
jobs, jobs, jobs, and jobs. Let's vote for jobs."

The following are the remarks that the Speaker submitted to the Congressional
Record:

"Madam Speaker, today the House has an opportunity to pass historic and
transformative legislation: the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

"I would like to acknowledge the authors of the legislation:

-- Chairman Waxman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce
-- Chairman Markey of the Select Committee on Energy Security and Climate
Change

"I would also like to acknowledge:

-- Chairman Collin Peterson of the Agriculture Committee for bringing the
priorities of America's farmers to this bill

-- And Chairman Rangel who helped ensure that this bill is fiscally
responsible and fully paid for.

"And I would like to acknowledge the many staff who worked so hard on this
legislation.

"In his Inaugural Address, President Obama called upon us to, 'harness the sun
and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.' One week
and one day later, we did just that. We passed the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act - the single largest investment in history in clean energy -
with over $69 billion for new investments in clean energy.

"Shortly thereafter, we passed the omnibus spending bill, with significant
investments in advanced energy research and the labs and equipment necessary
to perform the next generation of advanced energy research.

"We passed the budget, which included a 10 percent increase in investment in
clean energy and energy efficiency.

"This was building upon the work of the last Congress:

-- The Farm Bill was the first in history to include a real investment in
energy independence, with over $1 billion to leverage renewable energy
industry investments in new technologies and new feedstocks.

-- And the historic and bipartisan energy bill signed by President Bush
increased fuel efficiency standards for vehicles for the first time in
30 years and redirected this country's energy policy toward clean,
renewable energy.

"Creating a new energy policy and addressing the global climate crisis is:
Energy independence is:

-- a national security issue by reducing our dependence on foreign oil;
-- an environmental and health issue;
-- it is a moral issue;

-- and it is an economic issue for America's families.

"There are four words that can describe this bill: jobs, jobs, jobs, and jobs.

"Madam Speaker, we debate this legislation as millions of Americans are
struggling in this economy. This is our moment to transform our economy and
create jobs.

"This is the moment when we can unleash private sector investment in clean
energy to create millions of new jobs and make America the global innovation
leader. It will promote clean energy technology - made in America. It will
put America in the lead in the global competition.

"As we rebuild America in a green way, we will create jobs that cannot be
shipped overseas. We are creating a framework in which innovation can occur
and that gives business certainty that we are moving to a clean energy
economy. That will unleash innovation, investment, and venture capital to
drive new technologies into the market.

"America's farmers will fuel America's energy independence. They will do so
with carbon-offsetting crops and forests, and biofuel and wind farms to
repower America.

"This historic legislation is the product of months of consensus building to
achieve an effective and affordable transition to a clean energy future.

"I am so pleased that the diverse coalition supporting this bill includes
everyone from:

-- The Union of Concerned Scientists to the Evangelical Climate
Initiative
and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
-- From the business community to labor organizations, from ALCOA to the
U.S. Steelworkers of America

-- From the U.S. Conference of Mayors to members of the U.S. Climate
Action
Partnership, a coalition of business and non-profit groups.

"Today, we have an opportunity to lead America toward an effective and
affordable transition to a clean energy future. It is a moment we cannot
afford to miss. We have a responsibility to create jobs and make America more
secure, protect the health of our citizens, and honor our moral responsibility
to our children and our future generations.

"Vote to create jobs. Let's put this Congress on the right side of the
future. Vote yes on the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

"I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect God's beautiful
creation by supporting this legislation."

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House

Brendan Daly, Nadeam Elshami or Drew Hammill, +1-202-226-7616, all of the
Office of the Speaker of the House