We live in a Nation addicted to Oil

On August 4, 2007, Jim McDermott delivered the following speech on the House Floor.

We live in a Nation addicted to oil, and we simply can't afford it anymore. It's too expensive for the American pocketbook; it's too adverse for American security, and too perilous for the Earth's atmosphere. But the key to any and every part of the energy solution lies here in the Congress in its political will to change what we can change for the good of the American people and the Earth

Our energy legislation is bigger and bolder than a barrel of oil. It's a balance of support for alternative energy production and conservation. Every American has a stake and an ability to make a change, and our energy legislation unleashes America's ability to create, innovate and seek out and do that which has not been done. This is America's declaration of energy independence, and the first campaign plans to win what must be won. Our grandchildren, our children, our constituents, our country deserves no less. To those who say we cannot rise to meet the future and that we must embrace the past, I say America's boundless optimism has plenty of room to grow and shine. When it comes to energy policy, we have not risen to the occasion or to America's potential. That changes today with this legislation. It deserves bipartisan support.

And I would point out that the rhetoric we're going to hear from the other side is basically, we have to protect the oil companies; we can't touch their profits. Now, at a time when Americans are paying record prices at the pump and oil is at $70 a barrel, we have to change the status quo, and we're going to do it. It doesn't affect oil produced in this country, and it will be better for us in the long run.

Revision date: August 30, 2007