Bob Corker: “That has nothing whatsoever to do with emitting carbon. I have no idea why that is done. Thirdly--and maybe most…”

“That has nothing whatsoever to do with emitting carbon. I have no idea why that is done. Thirdly--and maybe most offensive--this bill sets in place something called international offsets. Others have talked about the burden on U.S. companies competing here if this bill is passed. This bill doesn't just create those burdens, which I acknowledge; it also pays them by allowing them to invest more inexpensively in other countries. I find that reprehensible, and I cannot imagine why any process such as that would be part of this bill. Most importantly, though these three flaws exist, no doubt, this bill doesn't include an energy title to cause our country to be energy secure. I think we have missed a tremendous opportunity at a time when people have a passion about dealing with the climate in our country. Americans are feeling vulnerable, as they should, as it relates to energy. I think we have missed a tremendous opportunity to bring those two groups together and solve, once and for all, the problems that exist in our country in a meaningful way. I came to the Senate to work on the big issues of our country. I am very disappointed that we will leave tomorrow having accomplished nothing, having accomplished nothing as it relates to climate, nothing as it relates to energy security, and nothing to ensure that generations who come after us will have a better way of living.”