Carol Shea-Porter: “Today we will vote on a comprehensive energy bill, finally. This country has waited 32 years for an increase in mileage…”

“Today we will vote on a comprehensive energy bill, finally. This country has waited 32 years for an increase in mileage standards. Thirty-two years. We have also waited for Congress to focus on renewables, green jobs and energy conservation in buildings and appliances. This bill will do that. This bill will also help free our Nation from dependence on foreign oil. When Newt Gingrich was sworn in as Speaker, we were 41 percent dependent on foreign oil. We are now 61 percent dependent on foreign oil. This is a risk to our national security. This bill will help our pocketbooks, it will help our environment, and it will help our national security. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''”