David Obey: “no one in this House has been a more longstanding supporter of the weatherization program than I have, but this…”

“no one in this House has been a more longstanding supporter of the weatherization program than I have, but this amendment deserves to be defeated. I oppose it on two grounds: First of all, we had a major victory in the committee on the issue of weatherization. This bill includes $311 million. That is a 63 percent increase over last year. The committee's original number was $60 million lower. We negotiated it up to double that amount. The gentleman mentions the $24 million by which it is below the President. That is only because that $24 million was used to insulate schools and hospitals which is an equally deserving requirement. None of us should be ashamed of doing that. Secondly, I would point out that this amendment actually reduces funds for fossil energy research. We need a balanced research program in all areas of energy research. That includes research on more efficient power plants and distributed generation technologies which are part of the fossil energy program that this amendment seeks to cut. In fact, the Democratic minority in the committee supported an amendment by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey) to increase fossil fuel energy research along with energy conservation by $200 million. I think it would be foolish for us to support an amendment today which reduces funding for any energy research program.”