June 23, 2005

Democrats Raise the Stakes for Energy Independence

Washington, D.C. – As the Energy Bill nears completion, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin, Ranking Member Jeff Bingaman and Senator Maria Cantwell joined together today to tout Democratic achievements on energy independence and to show the American people that the Democrats are serious about taking real action. Democrats are proud of the important bipartisan work done over the past two weeks to improve the energy bill, but there is still more to be done. Democrats are raising the stakes for any Conference Committee between the House and Senate on the Energy Bill, ensuring that American consumers are not left behind in favor of special interests.

“As the Conference Committee gets to work, it must make a choice: it can build on the bipartisanship of the Senate and give a gift to the American people or it can put partisanship ahead of hardworking families and give a gift to Big Oil,” said Senator Reid. “I urge the Committee to follow the Senate’s lead and make American jobs and security top priorities.”

“Senate Democrats helped deliver an energy bill that steers our country toward more renewable energy and biofuels and away from foreign oil,” said Senator Durbin. “That’s the gifts that the American people expect from Congress. The House energy bill is the gift that keeps on giving to big oil, to polluters and to the special interests.”

Senate Democrats have fought hard this week to ensure the Energy Bill benefits average, hardworking Americans, and not just oil industry lobbyists. Senate Democrats understand that securing our nation takes more than bullets and bombs; it requires reducing our reliance on Middle Eastern oil. Senate Democrats have fought hard to ensure we are on the path away from foreign oil and towards a more energy independent and secure America.

"We finally have a national energy bill that looks toward the future instead of the past and gets us closer to energy independence,” said Senator Cantwell. “As we move forward, I will fight to keep the Senate's bipartisan improvements in the final bill.”

###

« Back to Press Releases