Paul Tonko: “Let me just address some of those that aren't as clearly connected. Mr. Garamendi talks about the need to address public…”

“Let me just address some of those that aren't as clearly connected. Mr. Garamendi talks about the need to address public health and to address that bending of the cost curve for healthcare. Well, wellness is an important part. If we can reduce the number of asthma cases, we are doing a big share of the activity that is required. Also, one would never expect, perhaps, that the Department of Defense would be out front on this issue. Why? Because they see a population boom around the world, and they see eroding land and crop failure because of drought. Well, they see that as civil unrest. They see it as a situation that can be damaging to the world community. That civil unrest is of great concern to the Department of Defense. So there are these dynamics that seem so disconnected from this overall topic of carbon pollution. And, yes, when people are faced with that direct question--Where are you on carbon pollution?--of course it is the logical thing: Reduce it. Reduce it. It doesn't take that much of an effort. It takes the will to go forward and relate to energy efficiency, relate to greening up our policy, relate to renewable energy, battery development as a linchpin that can provide more certainty and predictability. We have it within our capacity, and I am convinced we will move forward as a House come January addressing this issue that has languished for far too long. Mr. Speaker, I again thank the gentleman for leading us in this discussion this evening.…”