Political Quotes

“when one lists all of the groups that oppose this, on business and labor, frankly, we would have found the same opposition in 1975. Those are the same groups that were arguing it is physically impossible for us to have more fuel-efficient cars. If they would have had their way, we would still all be driving cars at 14 miles a gallon or worse. This Congress rejected those same groups and their positions 28 years ago, but we have not done a thing since. As a result, the fuel efficiency of our cars and trucks has gone down. Is that in the best interest of America? Is that as good as Congress can do, to abdicate our leadership and responsibility on something this essential? I look at these automobile manufacturers--many of them are my friends and I have worked with them. Certainly, United Auto Workers has been one of my strongest supporting organizations since I have been involved in politics, but I just disagree with them. I believe America can do better. I think if we challenge American business and labor to work together for more fuel-efficient vehicles, they can rise to the challenge. But if we throw in the towel, as the Bond-Levin amendment does, then we know what is going to happen. We are going to continue to see this situation get worse. The Senator from New Mexico talks about the Landrieu amendment, and I voted for it because it was a wonderful little message to include in this bill, but it does not have any teeth.”