Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise in support of H.R. 6, which will help our nation take a major step toward energy independence. 

We cannot dig or drill our way out of our energy crisis.  We need new strategies to develop sources of energy that will move our nation away from our reliance on oil and gas.  This legislation will benefit our environment by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, our economy by creating new industries and jobs, and our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. 

I am particularly pleased that H.R. 6 includes the first significant increase in automobile fuel economy standards in a generation.  We have the technology to make our vehicles more efficient, and it’s past time to do so.  While I wish that the bill retained the renewable electricity standards and the tax provisions that the House passed, I will keep working with my colleagues to see those efforts become law.

I commend the many people who put together this historic legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it.