American Clean Energy And Security Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

AMERICAN CLEAN ENERGY AND SECURITY ACT OF 2009

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Ms. BALDWIN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Madam Speaker, the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act represents our Nation's response to a challenge that has consequences of epic proportions. Global climate change must be addressed in a real and meaningful manner. Our greenhouse gas emissions have put our global environment, our security and our very social structure at risk; and if we fail to act, the impact will reverberate throughout this century with the loss of human lives, species destruction, destruction of ecosystems, declines in health and increased social conflict.

Climate change is a unique challenge in that our greatest obligation in tackling this threat is to the generations of Americans and people throughout the world who haven't even been born yet, the ones who will inhabit this planet long after we're all gone. The legislation we have before us addresses global climate change while spurring innovation, creating clean energy jobs and containing costs. It brings what we need in terms of leadership and commitment as we look toward Copenhagen and beyond. It recognizes that our Nation's security, our planet's sustainability and our children's future hang in the balance.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill and commit to a clean energy economy that creates jobs and protects our health, national security and planet for generations to come.

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