Posted on 09/09/2008 6:44:31 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Press Releases Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami 202-226-7616 For Immediate Release 09/09/2008 Pelosi on Energy Bill: Whose Side Are You on? The American Consumer and the Taxpayer, or Big Oil?
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic leaders held a news conference today to discuss the comprehensive energy bill to be introduced this week. Below are her remarks:
“I apologize for keeping you waiting, especially in these cramped quarters. But I come from our Caucus meeting very energized by what our Members had to say, pun intended. As we have discussed this month, Democrats will continue efforts to take America in a New Direction.
“For our economy and our energy policy, we are organized, we are unified, we’re focused, we’re disciplined, and we’re ready to go. Two of the issues that are at center stage are the energy policy legislation that we have put forth and a possible stimulus package. These are related, in fact, because they address the economic insecurity of America’s working families, and they also address the problems challenging Americans who are out of work.
“Today more than 9 million Americans are out of work, the unemployment rate is a five-year high. We must take immediate action to strengthen our economy. We’ve been saying that for a while, the Administration has resisted, hopefully the statistics will speak eloquently to the White House that a stimulus package is needed. It will be a stimulus package to create jobs.
“Some of the items on the agenda that we will discuss with the Administration, of course we need the President’s signature, are issues that relate to rebuilding the infrastructure of America and creating good paying jobs here in America. Other issues relate to addressing the concerns of states in terms of Medicaid and Freddie Mac and that kind of funding: LIHEAP, food stamps, unemployment insurance related to the high unemployment rate that we see now.
“An important part of the stimulus package, or free standing bill, depending on, as I said when I was in Iowa last week, whichever engine can leave the station sooner as our disaster assistance right now. Before we even fully met the needs of the Midwest and the storms they have suffered there, we have additional storms coming through the South. We have unmet needs from the previous hurricanes and now more to come. So we passed in our package $2.65 billion at the end of June following the Memorial weekend disaster. More is needed.
“I’ll talk about that if you wish, about my visit to Iowa yesterday. We went all over the state and some of the devastation was just stunning, and some of it in certain neighborhood resembled what we have seen as a result of Katrina.
“We will vote on a comprehensive energy policy – and what I told you about the stimulus package was not all inclusive, there are other items, I was giving you a sample of what could be in such a bill.
“This week, the House will vote on comprehensive energy legislation that is a result of a reasonable compromise.
“I am very proud of our Caucus and how we are coming together on this. It will put us on the path toward energy independence by expanding domestic supply. It will protect consumers and taxpayers with strong action to lower the price of the pump and end taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil. It will ensure a clean green future through energy efficiency and conservation, and it will commit America to renewable energy and help create millions of good paying green jobs. It will put us on that path to make America energy independent of foreign oil within a decade. That was a goal of President Nixon in 1970. It wasn’t fulfilled then; it will be fulfilled now.
“This comprehensive energy legislation is the result of serious compromising among Democrats to bring down gas prices now and invest in a renewable future. Republicans must set aside their ‘drill only’ policy; even their own supporters have said we cannot drill ourselves out of this emergency situation.
“It will come down to this when it comes to energy. Whose side are you on? The side of the American consumer and the taxpayer, or Big Oil?
“If they want to drill offshore we say, ‘Okay, if you want to drill on the outer continental shelf, let’s have a discussion and a change of the relationship between our oil, which is owned by the American people, the desire of Big Oil for us to subsidize their drilling, and us not to, the American people not getting the benefit of the profits.’ So more drilling, no subsidies, and we want our royalties, in order to pay for investments in renewable energy resources, make a strong commitment to LIHEAP and the land and conservation fund, something like that.
“And if you oppose that, what are you saying? ‘I’m for drilling and for subsidized Big Oil and I want all of the profits to go to Big Oil, and I don’t want to visit this relationship of getting the funds that we are owed from the royalties of holidays in the late 90s.’
“It’s pretty exciting because we’re at a crucial place in our energy future and this decision will be an important one, and we want the American people to see the distinction between the Democrats and the Republicans on this. Do you want to drill now on the continental shelf? We want our royalties. No more subsidies for you. We want those subsidies and those royalties for LIHEAP, for renewable energy resources, for a better energy future for our country.”
The offshore drilling ban was to expire this September-—What happened?
And a royal *sshole as well.
Pelosi said “We’ve been saying that for a while, the Administration has resisted”
Ah, Nancy, you are the only one resisting change
I’m not on the side of the freaking socialists in the Democratic Party. “Big Oil” - wow, I’m, like, really mad at those evil guys.
The Democrats should refrain from their inclination to meddle in everything.
Hey, Nance! How many U.S. companies make up "Big Oil"? How many companies produce goods made from oil in the U.S.?
She is such an idiot.
It takes the oil companies to provide the oil so that the consumer can make the purchase. Punish the provider economically, the cost gets passed on to the consumer. Everyone looses except the Government that gains the taxes from the consumer and from the oil company.
Who's side am I on? I am on the side of the taxpayer/consumer and the oil companies (free market product provider) and against the OVER TAXING, OVER REGULATING, OVER CONTROLLING, GREEDY GOVERNMENT!!! Im against you Pelosi, get out of the way and let the USA provide its own energy, and stop stealing every penny you can get your greedy pig hooves on.
A stimulus package just in time for the election. What a coincidence.
I think it's at the end of September when the federal fiscal year ends. Speaking of fiscal year, how's the buget going 9% Nancy? Haven't done anything I guess, right?
She’s delusional!!
The skin on her head has been pulled so tight - she can’t see straight or think clearly anymore........if she ever could..
I never thought I would see the Democrat party in the collective suicidal pact they have apparently signed..
I’m glad I lived long enough to witness the death throws of the bastards.......I’ve waited a long time...
We have our earplugs in when your mouth opens.
vaudine
Actually, Congress’s rating went UP while they were out of session. I expect them to go back down now that Peta Pelosi has the gavel firmly in hand to prevent anything that even resembles an effort at REAL meaningful energy independence.
I am getting so sick of that fraking bullshit. First, Republicans don't have a drill only policy, it's an all of the above, which INCLUDES DRILLING NOW. Second even if they did have a drill only policy it would still be better than the DO NOTHING policy that Pelosi and her joeboys have.
Pelosi the oil Nazi - NO OIL FOR YOU!
I can't wait until we take the house back. Americans must be sick of this crap by now.
It expires Sept. 30th.
She cannot force oil companies to produce anything. Without profit incentive, they will not increase production. These exploration projects are very risky and capital intensive. Private individuals will not invest if the rats intend to steal their profits. The oil and natural gas industry pays taxes at every stage of production. The idea that the industry is subsidized is laughable.
She is proposing a variation on the nationalization theme: socializing profits and privatizing costs. She wants to reduce production so her policy is consistent with her unstated desire. Private property rights should be created for mineral rights on federal lands. Otherwise, the energy industry is just a pawn of the political process. The political process has stopped exploration in many promising areas.
Remove this woman, she is not the RULER of this country, even with her vaulted position. Remove her, it’s time to act and go on the offensive much like Newt has, which I think is growing.
Sara Palin is teaching us to act like we should, like leaders, not lemmings running pell mell to the cliff’s edge. We get our facts and charge into the fray. Love it. Thank you Sarah!
HUH?
Never mind that her presser had all the cohesion of a mudslide, that rattling bag of bones is intent on going to war with American held companies.
I suppose yesterday morning's loss of billions of hard earned savings was just a shot across the bow.
This woman and her minions could not pass an Econ 101 class.
It amazes me that she thinks “Big (EVIL!!!!) Oil” is going to be punished by taking away their tax subsidies. The oil companies will simply raise prices and the taxpayer will pay the difference. Which is what’s happening right now with the subsidies. Six of one, half dozen of the other.
Stupid, stupid people.
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