Barbara Boxer: “I think this is a great moment for the Senate. I was hoping that we could, in fact, get 60 votes for this particular…”

“I think this is a great moment for the Senate. I was hoping that we could, in fact, get 60 votes for this particular version of the Energy bill. It does not appear likely that will happen for reasons I am sure Senator Domenici has stated. I think the bill, as it is before us, deserves to get 60 votes, deserves to get 80 votes, deserves to get 100 votes, because at a time of very high prices of oil, gas at the pump going toward $4 in my State, heating oil going up at a rapid rate, affecting people mostly in the Northeast and other areas, we should take bold action. I wish to say to Senator Bingaman in particular how grateful I am for the work he has put into this measure. I am sure Senator Domenici did as well, but I had to work very closely with Senator Bingaman and his staff and my staff. This has been very difficult. I also wish to say that Speaker Pelosi showed her amazing skill working with John Dingell and others over in the House to get this bill to where it is today. The American people are very clear with us: They want action on the issues that impact them every single day. And this is one.”