Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I rise to talk about the Nation's lack of an energy policy. Many have spoken earlier today about the fact that we have…”

“I rise to talk about the Nation's lack of an energy policy. Many have spoken earlier today about the fact that we have not taken up an energy policy for our country. It doesn't seem to be a priority for the Senate. I disagree with that. I think it is the highest priority for the Senate, and I urge the majority to let us debate an energy policy. It is time that we have a long-term strategy. We know from what is happening in California right now, where the energy shortage has hit very hard the people of California and the economy of California, that we can't wait and try to do something quickly because quickly doesn't work when you are dealing with something that is so long range. For instance, one of California's big problems is they don't have a distribution system. They have a shortage. Even if they could get the energy into their State, they don't have an adequate distribution system. President Bush has put forward an energy policy that would address long term some of these issues. As our economy is growing, they are going to become even more acute. The Congress also has put forward a plan. Senator Murkowski has been a leader in this effort, as past chairman of the Energy Committee. We need to be able to debate these issues and see where our country is going. The interesting thing is, our country is going to increase its oil consumption by 33 percent in the next 10 years.”