Arlen Specter: “I voted for the Levin-Bond amendment on that 68-to-32 vote. But the Carper-Specter amendment is not inconsistent with…”

“I voted for the Levin-Bond amendment on that 68-to-32 vote. But the Carper-Specter amendment is not inconsistent with that at all. We simply establish a consistent standard. We are not establishing a CAFE standard. We are just asking that there be a national policy to limit U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Today, this week, this month is not the first time that I have expressed my concern about our undue dependence on foreign oil. I ask unanimous consent that my letter to President Clinton, dated April 11, 2000, and my letter to President Bush, dated April 25, 2001, be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: U.S. Senate, Washington, DC, April 11, 2000. President William Jefferson Clinton, The White House, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. President: In light of the very serious problems caused by the recent increase in oil prices, we know you will share our view that we should explore every possible alternative to stop OPEC and other oil-producing states from entering into agreements to restrict oil production in order to drive up the price of oil. This conduct is nothing more than an old-fashioned conspiracy in restraint of trade which has long been condemned under U.S. law, and which should be condemned under international law.”