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New Jobs,
Stronger Economy at Stake
In
Energy Policy Act
Pombo calls
for end of obstruction on energy policy
5/3/05
Washington, DC - In just
the first 100 days of the 109th Congress,
under the leadership of House Speaker Dennis
Hastert (R-IL), the U.S. House of
Representatives has passed an array of
legislation to improve the economy and to
create good jobs for American workers. The
House-passed Energy Policy Act, for example,
would add an additional 1 million jobs or
more in America.
"At today's
prices, the United States is sending $200
billion-worth of American jobs and economic
growth overseas to import our energy every
year," said Resources Committee Chairman
Richard W. Pombo (R-CA). "The Energy Policy
Act will invest capital right here at home
to produce more of our own energy resources,
create jobs and bolster our economy. The
Saudi royal family has enjoyed job security
at our expense long enough."
Recognizing
that
energy is truly the lifeblood of a strong
economy, the Resources Committee's
provisions of the Energy Policy Act will put
Americans to work to increase domestic
supplies of all energy including renewable,
wind and solar power. The effort to allow
safe and responsible energy production in
the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
alone will create 735,000 jobs. As passed by
the full House last week -
for the fifth
time in four years - the
Energy Policy Act will create a total of
more than 1 million new jobs.
"Democratic
party leadership has stood in the way of new
jobs and energy security for four long
years," Pombo continued. "Despite the
obstructionist rhetoric and repeated votes
against energy solutions, American workers
have made it clear that the National Energy
Policy Act is good for consumers and our
economy."
Recognizing
the energy bill's potential to create jobs,
union members from The International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, The United
Association, The Iron Workers International
Union, Operating Engineers, Laborers and
Carpenters, The Seafarers, International
Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, the
Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association and
American Maritime Officers all gathered on
Capitol Hill last month in support of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005.
"American
labor unions tirelessly pressed Congress on
this legislation to help their fellow
workers and their families,"
Pombo said. "Together, we have put the ball
in the Senate's court yet again. It's time
for obstructionist Senators to rise above
partisan politics, do what's right for the
country and deliver the energy bill to the
President's desk, as he requested, by
August. Continued obstruction on this
measure will only fuel higher prices and
unemployment."
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