On the recordJune 10, 2010
I stand in opposition to the resolution offered by the Senator from Alaska. The text of the resolution asks Senators to second-guess scientists and public health officials by voiding the scientific finding that carbon pollution may endanger public health or welfare--like there is any legitimate dispute about that question. The text of this resolution would halt all efforts by EPA to address carbon pollution, including the necessary and long-overdue fuel efficiency standards that EPA negotiated with States and the automobile industry, to everyone's satisfaction. Mr. President, that is the text of the resolution. But the point of the resolution is far simpler: to delay--delay action on energy legislation, delay action by EPA to protect public health and, more importantly, to delay action in this Congress on energy reform and to preserve the status quo by taking off the pressure of facts and science and law that is now driving the process. They want to trump that with pure politics.
