Mike Levin: “let me briefly comment on a few of the questions which have been raised here today. First, in terms of the amendment…”

“let me briefly comment on a few of the questions which have been raised here today. First, in terms of the amendment which is offered, we are requiring that there be an increase in fuel economy. That is No. 1. But what we also say is that there are many factors that need to be considered, including safety factors, before that decision is made. We list those factors. We list every factor that we can reasonably think of that somebody ought to consider before we arbitrarily adopt a number which is then imposed upon this economy and upon the American public. We have heard a lot about safety today. I want to read some things from the National Academy of Sciences about safety. This isn't the automobile industry and it is not the opponents of the Levin-Bond amendment. This is the National Academy of Sciences. It creates a lot of difficulty for the opponents of my amendment because it raises an issue they do not consider. As Senator Kerry from Massachusetts simply said: The National Academy of Sciences says that his proposal, "will not affect safety." Those are the words of Senator Kerry. The National Academy of Sciences says his proposal won't affect safety. I am afraid that the National Academy of Sciences specifically found that the increase in CAFE, whether you like what we did or do not like what we did back in the 1970's, had an effect on safety.”