On the recordMay 29, 2014
On May 24, 2011, President Obama issued a memorandum on Federal fleet performance that requires all new light- duty vehicles in the Federal fleet to be alternative fuel vehicles, such as hybrid, electric, natural gas, or biofuel, by December 31, 2015. My amendment echoes the Presidential memorandum by prohibiting funds in the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act from being used to lease or purchase the new light-duty vehicles, except in accord with the President's memorandum. This amendment has been supported by the majority and minority on appropriations bills eight times over the past few years, and I understand it will receive similar support today. Our transportation sector is, by far, the biggest reason we send $600 billion per year to hostile nations to pay for oil at ever-increasing costs, but America doesn't have to be dependent on foreign sources of oil for transportation fuel. Alternative technologies exist today and, when implemented broadly, will allow any alternative fuel to be used in America's automotive fleet. The Federal Government operates the largest fleet of light-duty vehicles in America. According to GSA, there are over 660,000 vehicles in the Federal fleet. By supporting a diverse array of vehicle technologies in our Federal fleet, we will encourage development of domestic energy resources, including biomass, natural gas, agriculture waste, hydrogen, renewable electricity, methanol, and ethanol.…





