Political Quotes

“I am thrilled to join my partner in efficiency, Senator Portman, in addressing the energy efficiency provisions of the Energy Policy Modernization Act. Before I get to those, I congratulate Chair Murkowski and Ranking Member Cantwell for everything they have done to move this Energy bill forward. At a time when I think most of us thought this Energy bill was gone for this Congress--again, for the third time--they have been able to rally to bring people together to get consensus to move a bill that not only deals with the energy efficiency provisions that Senator Portman and I have championed but also improves a broad array of energy policies for this country, and it would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. I congratulate them on giving us yet a third opportunity--hopefully--to vote on this bill and to finally be able to pass it. As Senator Portman said, the third time is a charm, hopefully. For 5 years, he and I have worked to advance the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, or what was known initially as Shaheen-Portman, which has now become Portman-Shaheen in this Congress. Many of the provisions in that original legislation are in this Energy Policy Modernization Act. While over the last 5 years we have been able to get some of the original provisions in the legislation through, the fact is, most of the significant provisions are in this current bill.…”