Floor Statements

Mr. President, for the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Records on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Mr. President, I wish today to support S. 2663, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act. The leadership of Senators Pryor and Stevens in negotiating this bipartisan compromise bill allows the legislation before the Senate today to move an important but beleaguered agency in the right direction. S. 2663 authorizes the appropriate level of resources and provides the new authorities necessary for the agency to do the job it was created to do: protect consumers.

Mr. President, today the CPSC is broken. It is broken from years of neglect coupled with growth in volume and complexity of products and from a dysfunctional commission. Year after year, this agency is subjected to budget cuts and forced attrition of personnel. Today, it has less than half the budget and half the staff it had in its inaugural year of 1973. As a result, the CPSC is no longer properly equipped to carry out its essential mission of monitoring the marketplace and enforcing product safety standards. Making matters even more difficult, the number of products under its jurisdiction has grown exponentially in size and complexity.

The commission is responsible for the safety of more than 15,000 products, including everything from infant cribs to computer components. Most of these products are safe. However, those that are not safe can be deadly. Each year, more than 28,000 Americans die and an additional 33 million are injured by

consumer products. To say these numbers are much too high is an understatement. We must have an effective CPSC, one with increased funding, staff, and authority, to reduce these losses.

This bill addresses the weaknesses of our Nation's product safety system in several ways, but I would like to highlight some of the essential changes. S. 2663 puts the responsibilities of product safety squarely on the Government's shoulders. First, the act authorizes needed resources over a 7-year period to provide the agency the manpower and the technology it needs to police a complex global marketplace. The act would restore the CPSC to a full complement of five commissioners to maintain continuity and to avoid the losses of quorum that have plagued the agency in recent years.

To help buttress the resources needed to monitor the market and keep consumers safe, the act would authorize State attorneys general to bring civil actions to seek injunctive relief for clear violations of statutes enforced by the CPSC. Creating a joint enforcement relationship with the States has proven to be successful in the area of consumer protection, and this collaboration would provide the CPSC a partner to protect American families in a meaningful way.

S. 2663 also would require manufacturers to use independent labs to test children's products and to certify their compliance with mandatory safety standards, including the mandatory toy safety standard established in the act. This new toy standard would provide the CPSC and industry with a fast, flexible way to address emerging hazards. It will serve to protect children from dangers such as strangulation, intestinal perforation, or blockage hazards.

While new authority and regulatory structure is needed for this agency, providing accurate and up-to-date information about product hazards to Americans would allow consumers to help themselves and make better decisions about the products they buy. In order to help consumers, S. 2663 would create a database of information from nonindustry sources, such as hospitals, childcare providers, public safety agencies, as well as consumer reports about product hazards collected by the CPSC itself. This database would provide consumers with potentially lifesaving information, in an organized fashion, which would better equip them to assess product safety risks and hazards.

Finally, this legislation would allow the CPSC to share product information with governments around the world. Since our economy is global, faulty products do not just end up in our homes but in homes around the world. By reaching out to and coordinating with other countries, the ability of the CPSC to interdict and keep unsafe products off of store shelves would be improved.

Mr. President, unfortunately, some Members in this Chamber believe that regardless of the dire picture supporters of this bill have painted as it relates to the lack of resources and existing authorities, last year's ``summer of recalls'' proves that the commission is working just fine.

These members may cite statistics showing that in 2007, the agency announced 231 children's product recalls, of which 58 were toys. They will point out that last year set a record for the most toy recalls in a single year. However, anyone who understands the agency and the work that it does will know that in fact, this statistic is further evidence of the need to reform the CPSC.

Specifically, the slow nature of the current recall process left more than 46 million recalled items in the stream of commerce, including millions of toys sitting on store shelves, waiting to be sold to unsuspecting parents. I think it is safe to say that in the opinion of parents, this is a system failure. Unfortunately, the prospects for 2008 look much the same.

The agency has already announced 40 voluntary toy recalls. At this pace, the number of recalls announced this year will surpass all records. However, these recalls are voluntary, not mandatory.

Further, many of the recalls were not the result of a proactive agency; rather, they were the response of a reactive agency to an investigation conducted by members of the press. That is not how Government should work.

S. 2663 reflects a good bipartisan compromise led by Senators Pryor and Stevens. Children are dying and suffering grievous injuries because of unsafe products. This bipartisan bill is a good step forward in our effort to keep harmful products off of store shelves.

For America's families, and especially for America's children, I urge my colleagues to support this meaningful consumer safety legislation.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act. I am joined by Senator Stevens, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. I thank him for his work on this important issue.

The average American eats approximately 16 pounds of fish and shellfish each year. Given this fact, it is essential that Americans have confidence in the safety and quality of the seafood they consume. Yet just last year, Americans faced news reports of tainted seafood imports reaching their kitchen tables. The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act will help prevent such contaminated seafood from ever reaching the mouths of consumers.

The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act would work to ensure that commercially distributed seafood in the United States is fit for human consumption by strengthening the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's, NOAA, fee-for-service seafood inspection program, SIP. Specifically, the bill would increase the number and capacity of NOAA laboratories that are involved with the SIP under the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The bill would further direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work together to create an infrastructure that provides a better system for importing safe seafood. This new system would provide a means to inspect foreign facilities, and examine and test imported seafood. It would also provide technical assistance and training to foreign facilities and governments. Additionally, it would also expedite seafood imports from countries that consistently maintain high standards.

The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act is a strong step in protecting the safety and quality of the seafood products Americans consume.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act. I am joined by Senator Stevens, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. I thank him for his work on this important issue.

The average American eats approximately 16 pounds of fish and shellfish each year. Given this fact, it is essential that Americans have confidence in the safety and quality of the seafood they consume. Yet just last year, Americans faced news reports of tainted seafood imports reaching their kitchen tables. The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act will help prevent such contaminated seafood from ever reaching the mouths of consumers.

The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act would work to ensure that commercially distributed seafood in the United States is fit for human consumption by strengthening the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's, NOAA, fee-for-service seafood inspection program, SIP. Specifically, the bill would increase the number and capacity of NOAA laboratories that are involved with the SIP under the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The bill would further direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work together to create an infrastructure that provides a better system for importing safe seafood. This new system would provide a means to inspect foreign facilities, and examine and test imported seafood. It would also provide technical assistance and training to foreign facilities and governments. Additionally, it would also expedite seafood imports from countries that consistently maintain high standards.

The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act is a strong step in protecting the safety and quality of the seafood products Americans consume.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, March 4; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate proceed to a period of morning business for up to 1 hour, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each and the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half; that following morning business, the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. 2663, a bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission; further, I ask that the Senate recess from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons to meet.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand adjourned under the previous order.

Madam President, I am deeply moved and most grateful for the generous and warm remarks of my colleagues. I shall do my very best to live up to their praise.

I thank you very much.

(Applause, Senators rising.)

Mr. President, since its founding in 1775, the U.S. Army has served this country well for over 230 years and has played a decisive role in protecting and defending freedom throughout the history of the U.S., from the Colonial period to today, in wartime and in peace; and has consistently answered the call to serve the American people at home and abroad since the Revolutionary War. The sacrifice of the American soldier, of all ranks, since the earliest days of the Republic, has been immense and is deserving of the unique recognition bestowed by commemorative coinage.

Today I rise to introduce the U.S. Army Commemorative Coin Act, and am joined by Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma in support of the bill, as well as the U.S. Army, the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and the Army Historical Foundation.

The U.S. Army Commemorative Coin Act authorizes the Secretary of the

Treasury to mint 100,000 five dollar gold coins, 500,000 one dollar silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar copper-nickel clad coins.

These coins will be the first U.S. coins to honor the Army as an institution in its entirety. Coin designs will be emblematic of the traditions, history and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society, from the Colonial period to today. Design motifs will specifically honor the American soldier, both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace; and commemorate the traditions and heritage of the U.S. Army.

A surcharge will be applied to each coin, in the amount of $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar coin, and $5 for each half-dollar clad coin. Proceeds from the sales of these coins will be directed to the Army Historical Foundation specifically to be used to help finance construction of the National Museum of the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, VA.

The Army, the Nation's oldest and largest military service, is the only service that currently lacks a comprehensive, national museum celebrating, preserving and displaying its heritage and honoring its veterans. The Army also lacks a national memorial to serve as its national landmark here in America's capital city. The museum will eventually fill both roles.

One of the ways that the museum already honors Army veterans is through its ``Registry of the American Soldier.'' The Registry potentially could contain millions of names and service histories, and can already be viewed online. It is open to all who have worn the Army's uniform, and I myself recently became the first Member of the U.S. Senate to be listed. This registry will eventually be permanently displayed at the museum after its public opening, due in 2014.

In 2000, the Secretary of the Army designated the Army Historical Foundation as its primary partner in building the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and today the Foundation is actively engaged in executing a major, $200 million, capital campaign to support the Museum.

These commemorative coins will do more than just honor the Army and our Army veterans. They will also help ensure that the extraordinary accomplishment and sacrifice of our soldiers will live on as a legacy for future generations. This bill authorizes surcharges that may generate over $12.2 million for the Army museum. I want to assure my colleagues that this bill will not place any burden on the American taxpayer. The profits generated by the sales of these coins will cover all costs incurred by the Department of the Treasury.

Personally, I will never forget the pride I felt in wearing my uniform during the Second World War, and I know that I share this pride of service with millions of fellow veterans from all walks of life across this great country.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, which will honor the U.S. Army while helping to open an outstanding, world- class National Museum of the U.S. Army just across the river from this building.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, since its founding in 1775, the U.S. Army has served this country well for over 230 years and has played a decisive role in protecting and defending freedom throughout the history of the U.S., from the Colonial period to today, in wartime and in peace; and has consistently answered the call to serve the American people at home and abroad since the Revolutionary War. The sacrifice of the American soldier, of all ranks, since the earliest days of the Republic, has been immense and is deserving of the unique recognition bestowed by commemorative coinage.

Today I rise to introduce the U.S. Army Commemorative Coin Act, and am joined by Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma in support of the bill, as well as the U.S. Army, the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and the Army Historical Foundation.

The U.S. Army Commemorative Coin Act authorizes the Secretary of the

Treasury to mint 100,000 five dollar gold coins, 500,000 one dollar silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar copper-nickel clad coins.

These coins will be the first U.S. coins to honor the Army as an institution in its entirety. Coin designs will be emblematic of the traditions, history and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society, from the Colonial period to today. Design motifs will specifically honor the American soldier, both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace; and commemorate the traditions and heritage of the U.S. Army.

A surcharge will be applied to each coin, in the amount of $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar coin, and $5 for each half-dollar clad coin. Proceeds from the sales of these coins will be directed to the Army Historical Foundation specifically to be used to help finance construction of the National Museum of the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, VA.

The Army, the Nation's oldest and largest military service, is the only service that currently lacks a comprehensive, national museum celebrating, preserving and displaying its heritage and honoring its veterans. The Army also lacks a national memorial to serve as its national landmark here in America's capital city. The museum will eventually fill both roles.

One of the ways that the museum already honors Army veterans is through its ``Registry of the American Soldier.'' The Registry potentially could contain millions of names and service histories, and can already be viewed online. It is open to all who have worn the Army's uniform, and I myself recently became the first Member of the U.S. Senate to be listed. This registry will eventually be permanently displayed at the museum after its public opening, due in 2014.

In 2000, the Secretary of the Army designated the Army Historical Foundation as its primary partner in building the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and today the Foundation is actively engaged in executing a major, $200 million, capital campaign to support the Museum.

These commemorative coins will do more than just honor the Army and our Army veterans. They will also help ensure that the extraordinary accomplishment and sacrifice of our soldiers will live on as a legacy for future generations. This bill authorizes surcharges that may generate over $12.2 million for the Army museum. I want to assure my colleagues that this bill will not place any burden on the American taxpayer. The profits generated by the sales of these coins will cover all costs incurred by the Department of the Treasury.

Personally, I will never forget the pride I felt in wearing my uniform during the Second World War, and I know that I share this pride of service with millions of fellow veterans from all walks of life across this great country.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, which will honor the U.S. Army while helping to open an outstanding, world- class National Museum of the U.S. Army just across the river from this building.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I would like to recognize a great American and a true military hero who has honorably served our country for 26 years in the Army and Army Nurse Corps: COL Barbara J. Bruno has a true passion for nursing and served in a variety of clinical nursing and leadership positions at various Army medical facilities.

Her tremendous leadership skills led to her selection for long-term schooling to obtain an advanced degree in nursing and subsequent selection for director of the operation room nurse course. Colonel Bruno served with distinction in a series of senior leadership positions as Army nurse corps staff officer, AMEDD personnel proponency directorate, chief nurse, 30th Medical Brigade deputy commander for nursing, chief nurse 67th Combat Support Hospital personnel management officer, and chief, perioperative nursing services. In every circumstance, Colonel Bruno was recognized for her clinical excellence and loyal, dedicated, and stellar leadership.

In 2004, Colonel Bruno was appointed the deputy chief of the Army Nurse Corps. As deputy chief, Colonel Bruno developed and implemented policies and procedures that affected nearly 35,000 nursing personnel throughout the Army. She spearheaded several recruitment and retention initiatives to include the Funded Nurse Education Program, the Professional Nurse Education Program, the Registered Nurse First Assist Program, and increased capacity for the Army Enlisted Commissioning Program. Her tenacity also led to additional recruitment options and incentive pays to retain our highly qualified nurse officers. As chair of the Federal Nursing Service Council, she sponsored the development of a Federal nursing research model that focused on improved soldier readiness and patient care outcomes.

Colonel Bruno's accomplishments are eloquent testimony to her talent, dedication, loyalty, and determination to see that the best possible nursing care is always available to our soldiers, their family members, and our deserving retirees. Colonel Bruno has established a legacy of superior performance to be emulated by all, and her performance reflects greatly on herself, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, and the United States of America. I extend my deepest appreciation on behalf

of a grateful nation for her dedicated service.

Congratulations to COL Barbara J. Bruno. I wish her Godspeed.

Mr. President, today, I am pleased that the Congress is sending energy legislation to the President. For too long, the United States has taken a back seat in the fight against global warming. This bill is a good first step in moving our Nation's energy policy in the right direction.

Without the support of a number of Senators, this legislation, and title I in particular, would not have been possible. I wish to extend particular thanks to Senators Feinstein, Stevens, Levin, Snowe, Kerry, Dorgan, Lott, Carper, Boxer, Durbin, Alexander, Corker, and Cantwell for their work in increasing automobile fuel economy standards.

In addition, the tireless efforts of groups dedicated to conservation and improving national security were vital to enacting this legislation. Of special note is the support of a nonpartisan group of business executives and retired senior military leaders concerned about global energy security, known as Securing America's Future Energy, SAFE. I am grateful for the support and hard work of its leaders, Frederick W. Smith and General P.X. Kelley, as well as Robbie Diamond, who served as their liaison. The Union of Concerned Scientists--David Friedman in particular--provided significant technical support and advocacy for the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act.

The White House says that the President will sign the bill tomorrow. I thank him for taking swift action on this landmark legislation.

Mr. President, for the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation I report favorably the following nomination lists which were printed in the Record on the dates indicated, and ask unanimous consent, to save the expense of reprinting on the Executive Calendar that these nominations lie at the Secretary's desk for the information of Senators.

Yes. I. I agree that it is very important that all Federal regulations in this area be consistent and that we provide clear direction to the agency that has responsibility for setting fuel economy standards, the Department of Transportation.

Mr. President, I have worked for many months with the Senior Senator from California and the original sponsor of this legislation, Mrs. Feinstein, to draft a sound policy to increase fuel economy standards in our country. I stated earlier today that ``all Federal regulations in this area be consistent.'' I wholly agree with that notion, in that these agencies have two different missions. The Department of Transportation has the responsibility for regulating fuel economy, and should enforce the Ten-in Ten Fuel Economy Act fully and vigorously to save oil in the automobile fleet. The Environmental Protection Agency has the responsibility to protect public health. These two missions can and should co-exist without one undermining the other. There are numerous examples in the executive branch where two or more agencies share responsibility over a particular issue. The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission both oversee telemarketing practices and the Do-Not-Call list.

The FTC also shares jurisdiction over antitrust enforcement with the Department of Justice. Under the current CAFE system, the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency work together. DOT enforces the CAFE standards, and the EPA tests vehicles for compliance and fuel economy labels on cars. The President himself foresaw these agencies working together and issued an Executive Order on May 14, 2007, to coordinate the agencies on reducing automotive greenhouse gas emissions. The DOT and the EPA have separate missions that should be executed fully and responsibly. I believe it is important that we ensure that the agencies are properly managed by the executive branch, as has been done with several agencies with shared jurisdiction for decades. I plan on holding hearings next session to examine this issue fully.

Mr. President, I yield 3 minutes to the Senator from California, Mrs. Boxer.

Mr. President, I yield 3 minutes to the Senator from Washington, Ms. Cantwell.

Mr. President, I yield 3 minutes to Senator Carper.

Mr. President, I yield myself 4 minutes. I rise today in support of the bill before us. After months of constructive negotiations, we have successfully crafted a thoughtful, bipartisan agreement, particularly in title I, otherwise known as the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act.

Title I would mandate an increase in automobile fuel economy to a nationwide fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. In addition, the Department of Transportation would adopt fuel economy standards for medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles for the first time.

Today's agreement marks historic progress: This is the first statutory increase in fuel economy standards since 1975. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil is of vital importance to our national security, economic stability, and consumer welfare. The Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act is a major step toward achieving these goals.

Title I of this bill will save approximately 1.1 million barrels of oil per day in 2020, equal to one-half of what we currently import daily from the Persian Gulf. By the year 2020, this bill will save consumers approximately $22 billion at the pump and prevent approximately 200 million metric tons of greenhouse gases from polluting our environment each year. By dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, title I would demonstrate to the world that America is a leader in fighting global warming.

Legislation of this magnitude could have only been achieved through the hard work of a coalition of Members. In this case, without Senator Feinstein, Senators Stevens, Snowe, Kerry, Dorgan, Lott, Carper, Boxer, Durbin, Alexander, Corker, and Cantwell, the agreement would not have been reached.

In particular, I congratulate Senator Feinstein on her efforts in developing this bill. Her dedication over the years has led to a public policy that very few thought possible. I also praise the efforts of my good friend Senator Stevens, who was instrumental in forging the compromise before us. I also thank Chairman Dingell and Senators Levin and Stabenow for their hard work and willingness to achieve an agreement that aggressively improves fuel economy while protecting domestic manufacturing and U.S. workers. The American auto worker and automaker have no better champions.

Finally, I express my appreciation to all the hard-working members of the staff who worked to make this historic legislation a reality. In particular, I commend David Strickland, Alex Hoehn-Saric, Mia Petrini, and Jared Bomberg of my Commerce Committee staff for a job well done.

The importance of this legislation cannot be underestimated. During the Arab oil embargo in 1973, Americans suffered the first devastating effects of our addiction to oil. Born out of this embargo, Congress put in place a fuel economy program that nearly doubled the gas mileage of cars from 1975 to 1985. Passage of this bill will ensure that our Nation's energy priorities start moving in the right direction again.

Higher fuel economy standards will wean the country of its oil addiction, put billions of dollars of savings back into our domestic economy, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A diverse group of constituencies support the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act, from environmentalists to automotive workers and automakers. While it sets forth aggressive standards, the act also recognizes the challenges faced by the auto industry and ensures that those concerns will be addressed. Providing flexibility to the automotive industry, the sponsors of these fuel economy provisions have worked together in a bipartisan manner to ensure that automakers have the tools they need to meet the requirements enumerated in the act. The Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to create two fuel economy curves, one for passenger cars and one for light trucks. This change from the Senate-passed bill provides the certainty that American automakers, auto workers, and car dealers requested, but the act still requires that the combined car and light truck fleet meet a fuel economy standard of at least 35 miles per gallon by 2020.

Our actions today will improve national security, create jobs, help consumers, and protect the environment. At times it is the Government's responsibility to balance conflicting interests. Today, I believe we found that balance.

Mr. President, I wish to provide 30 seconds to Senator Cantwell.

Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Energy Independence and Security Act. In particular, title I, otherwise known as the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act, would mandate an increase in automobile fuel economy to a nationwide fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This is the first statutory increase in fuel economy standards for cars since 1975. In addition, the Department of Transportation would adopt fuel economy standards for medium and heavy duty commercial vehicles for the first time.

With the cost of oil at approximately $90 per barrel, reducing our dependence on oil is of vital importance to our national security, economic stability, and consumer welfare. The Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act is a major step forward toward achieving these goals. In addition, the act would dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and demonstrate to the world that America is a leader in fighting global warming.

Legislation of this magnitude could have only been achieved through the hard work of a coalition of Members. In this case, without Senators Feinstein, Stevens, Snowe, Kerry, Dorgan, Lott, Carper, Boxer, Durbin, Alexander, Corker, and Cantwell, the agreement would not have been reached.

In particular, I wish to congratulate Senator Feinstein on her efforts in developing this bill. Her dedication over the years has led us to an agreement that very few thought possible. I would also like to praise the efforts of my good friend Senator Stevens, who was instrumental in forging the compromise before us. His work in the Commerce Committee, on the Senate floor, and in negotiations with the House reflects his commitment to working in a bipartisan fashion.

Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid recognized the importance of the issue and have made fuel economy a major focus of the Energy bill. I thank them for their support and dedication.

I would also like to thank Chairman Dingell and Senators Levin and Stabenow for their hard work and willingness to achieve an agreement that aggressively improves fuel economy while protecting the domestic automobile manufacturing base and U.S. workers. Their leadership, honesty, and technical expertise have been invaluable. The American automaker and autoworker have no better advocates.

Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to all the hard- working members of the staff who worked to make this historical legislation a reality. In particular, I would like to commend David Strickland, Alex Hoehn-Saric, Mia Petrini, and Jared Bomberg of my Commerce Committee staff for a job well done.

The importance of this legislation cannot be underestimated.

During the Arab oil embargo in 1973, Americans suffered the first devastating effects of our addiction to oil. Our vulnerability to curtailments in supply became apparent. While waiting in long lines at gas stations, we felt the immediate need for conservation, alternative energy sources, and more efficient use of energy, especially in the transportation sector. Born out of this embargo, Congress put in place a fuel economy program that nearly doubled the gas mileage of cars from 1975 to 1985.

Today's agreement marks historic progress. It is the first of its kind since 1975 and is a major step toward addressing our Nation's energy needs. Title I of the bill will save approximately 1.1 million barrels of oil per day in 2020--equal to one-half of what we currently import daily from the Persian Gulf. By the year 2020, the legislation will save consumers approximately $22 billion at the pump and prevent approximately 200 million metric tons of greenhouse gases from polluting our environment each year.

A diverse group of constituencies support the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act, from environmentalists to automotive workers and automakers. While it sets forth aggressive standards, the act also recognizes the challenges faced by the auto industry and ensures that those concerns will be addressed. For one, it provides flexibility to the automotive industry. The sponsors of these fuel economy provisions have worked together in a bipartisan manner to ensure that automakers have the tools they need to meet the requirements enumerated in the act.

The Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to create two fuel economy curves, one for passenger cars and one for light trucks. This change from the Senate--passed bill provides the certainty that American automakers, auto workers, and car dealers requested, but the act still requires that the combined car and light truck fleet meet a fuel economy standard of at least 35 miles per gallon by 2020.

The act also provides automakers with the option of earning flexible fuel credits at a tapering rate set to expire in 2019. These credits will incentivize the production of millions of flexible fuel capable vehicles while assisting automakers in achieving the target of 35 miles per gallon by 2020.

Passage of this bill will ensure that our Nation's energy priorities start moving in the right direction. Higher fuel economy standards will wean the

country of its oil addiction, put billions of dollars of savings back into our domestic economy and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Our actions today will improve national security, create jobs, help consumers, and protect the environment. At times, it is the Government's responsibility to balance conflicting interests. Today, I believe we found that balance.