Pete Domenici: “I think I am going to do it in 2 minutes and whatever few seconds. First, I have been looking forward to this debate all…”

“I think I am going to do it in 2 minutes and whatever few seconds. First, I have been looking forward to this debate all day because it is a very mature debate. The Senate spent a good deal of time last year discussing these two amendments, as well as others. The Feinstein amendment we agreed to and that we will be talking about, I think we discussed it heretofore also, but in any event, a lot of time has been spent discussing these amendments. In addition to these amendments, I remind Senators that we have already adopted an amendment, that came as quite a surprise, by Senator Landrieu that would require the President to develop a plan to reduce domestic petroleum consumption by 1 million barrels a day by 2013. Since major reductions in oil consumption are most likely going to be achieved through reductions in the use of transport fuels, the President, as a result of the Landrieu amendment, will probably have to focus on measures to increase fuel economy. I suggest to Senators that the Landrieu amendment may obviate the need for further debate. Nonetheless, we are debating and we will continue to debate. It seems to me the Landrieu amendment gives the President the kind of authority and flexibility needed in this country if, in fact, this issue is as important as it is being alluded to. Keeping that in mind, if the Senate must choose among the offered CAFE amendments, I must lend my support to the amendment offered by Senator Bond and Senator Levin.”