On the recordJune 10, 2010
the Murkowski resolution, which we will take up soon, will increase pollution, increase our dependence on foreign oil, and stall our efforts to create jobs and, in so doing, stall our efforts to move to a clean energy economy. This resolution does nothing to create jobs in Nevada or anyplace else in our country. It does create jobs in places from where we are importing oil--the Middle East, Venezuela, places such as that--but not in our country. In fact, this resolution will damage the certainty and clarity that businesses want to invest in innovative and job-creating technologies that reduce pollution. This includes clean renewable power using the Sun, the wind, and geothermal energy. This resolution is not going to help bring us closer to providing more incentives for the production or use of clean-burning natural gas. This resolution is not going to help provide funding for Nevadans or Alaskans or any other State to cope with and adapt to a changing and increasingly unfriendly climate. Forcing this vote seems to be a largely partisan political ploy designed to divide Democrats and Republicans and to pander to the dirty, just-say-no crowd. They want business as usual with no limits on their ability to pollute. The White House has made it clear that the Murkowski resolution would be vetoed if it passes. We all know, in fact, if it does pass and a veto is made, that it would be sustained.
