Byron Dorgan: “I think he makes a terrible mistake by suggesting that this is not national in scope. The implication of the proposal by…”

“I think he makes a terrible mistake by suggesting that this is not national in scope. The implication of the proposal by the Senator from Arizona is to say: If it is to be done, let's let the States do it. This is not something that ought to be a matter of national policy. Let me make a couple of comments about that. We would have had the same kind of discussion over 20 years ago when we first discussed the Clean Air Act in Congress. People said: Let's leave it to the States. This isn't something we ought to do nationally. This is not a national responsibility or a national goal. Let the States do it. We didn't do that. We said: As a matter of national purpose, this country deserves clean air. We passed clean air standards. Why? Because the Congress demanded it and said: This is a matter of national purpose and a matter of developing national standards, and national aspirations for our country. On the issue of energy, the question is: Are we going to write a national energy bill and have an energy policy that turns the corner and moves us in a different direction in certain areas--Yes or no?”