Angie Craig: “this afternoon President Bush outlined a new approach to climate change for this Nation, and I believe for the world.…”

“this afternoon President Bush outlined a new approach to climate change for this Nation, and I believe for the world. The President has thoughtfully tackled the emotionally charged issue of climate change and focused us in a pragmatic way. I believe this is a demonstration of leadership. He has thoroughly considered the existing scientific evidence, which remains inconclusive, and determined that a slow and cautious approach to stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions is the most prudent policy. I and many of my colleagues in the Senate have worked hard for years on this challenging issue and wholeheartedly concur with the President's decision. The President's determination to aggressively pursue answers to many critical scientific questions and his concern about the effects of action on American jobs and our economy are well balanced. The proposed actions in the President's plan will be effective in giving us the change we need. The voluntary nature of these proposals provides needed flexibility to achieve substantial reductions in emissions. The President has outlined a strategy that incorporates incentives and opportunity for creative ways to achieve those reductions. The President's plan also thoughtfully addresses the critical need to actively engage developing countries. I have stated in the past that American policy should recognize the legitimate needs of our bilateral trading partners to use their resources and meet the needs of their people.”