Henry Waxman: “today I am announcing the new winner of the Golden Jackpot Award which has been created to recognize indefensible…”

“today I am announcing the new winner of the Golden Jackpot Award which has been created to recognize indefensible government decisions that benefit special interests at the expense of the public interest. There are two worthy contestants for today's award. The recent Bush administration decision to eliminate contraceptive coverage for women in the Federal health insurance plans and to freeze funding for family planning programs is an amazing example of a ridiculous policy aimed at satisfying right-wing groups that cannot distinguish between abortion and family planning. Even this incredible decision pales next to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham's rollback of air conditioner efficiency standards at a time when America is facing its worst energy problems in 25 years. This is an obscure decision that has enormous implications. Because of the rollback, the United States will have to build over 40 new power plants by the year 2020. The action benefits the manufacturers of air conditioners who contributed heavily to President Bush and Republicans, but it is a disaster for the American people, and Californians in particular. I give this award to Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham.”