Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman from Vermont. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership for taking this bill up under suspension today. I remain hopeful that a compromise energy package can still be agreed upon this Congress, and I am glad this bill was included in both the House and Senate versions of that energy package. Nonetheless, I am pleased that commonsense ideas, such as this one, may still become law even if the larger package proves too large a lift in the last days of this Congress. I thank Congressman Peter Welch for his leadership on this bill. It is no secret that he is one of the great champions in the House of Representatives on the issue of energy efficiency, and it has been my pleasure to work with him on this bill. Mr. Speaker, so many schools across the country are in need of upgrades and improvements to their facilities. In its last Report Card for America's Infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the condition of our Nation's schools a grade of D. As school administrators undertake badly needed improvements, they have an opportunity here to substantially increase their facilities' energy efficiency, producing benefits for both the environment and the economy. In reducing their energy bills, schools can put the savings to use in other educational priorities.…”