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WASHINGTON – Today Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in calling on Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee Pete Domenici (R-NM) to include S. 2025, the Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act, in the energy legislation that the two Republicans are reportedly preparing to introduce this summer.
Senator Lieberman introduced the Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act, also known as the Set America Free Act, along with Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN), Sam Brownback (R-KS), and Norm Coleman (R-MN). Senator Dodd joined in support of the bill as a co-sponsor. That bill, which now has twenty-four cosponsors, would mandate 10 million barrels per-day in oil-savings in 25 years and would require the mass-production of cars that can burn any combination of gasoline and alternative fuels or, alternatively, cars powered by efficient hybrid engines. The Senators who sent the letter today reminded Senators Frist and Domenici that the U.S. Congress must act now to end America’s oil addiction, and they pledged to offer S.2025 as an amendment to any Republican energy bill that fails to include S.2025’s oil-savings measures.
The text of the letter is below:
Dear Senators Frist and Domenici,
Skyrocketing oil prices have brought a renewed national focus on the problem of U.S. dependence on oil. Our exclusive dependence on the global oil market, which is dominated by foreign exporters, is sapping America’s power and independence, while the steep rise in international demand for oil threatens to heighten international tensions and undermine global stability. Under these conditions, a well-orchestrated terrorist attack or political upheaval could place even greater strain on the oil supply chain, rattling the global economy and igniting a dangerous race to secure oil supplies.
Although there are immediate steps the Congress can take to ensure that consumers are not being taken advantage of at the pump, there is no magic wand the government can wave to make oil prices drop. The high gas prices we are facing today can only be addressed by a serious, long-term effort to reduce our dependence on oil.
According to news reports, you are currently working on legislation to address high oil prices. We urge you to include our bi-partisan legislation, that has been cosponsored by twenty-four Senators, S. 2025, the Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act, in its entirety as part of your legislative package. Our bill sets aggressive, yet achievable, targets to reduce U.S. dependence on oil. Senate bill 2025 provides tools to meet these targets by improving the efficiency of vehicles and increasing the production and use of biofuels. It includes new approaches for manufacturers, the federal government, scientists and consumers, all designed to encourage greater energy security.
Addressing our dependence on oil is a challenge that we can no longer ignore. It is time to set America free. Therefore, we intend to offer S. 2025 as an amendment and insist on a vote during the upcoming energy debate, if it is not included in the base bill.
Thank you for your consideration.
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