Wednesday, March 13, 2002

Mr. BOND. Some people here believe Americans cannot be trusted to make the right choice. In choosing between consumers and Government, I will side with the consumers. I don't pretend to know what is best for the 15 million Americans who are purchasing vehicles each year, but I prefer to listen to those who are actually in the business of selling cars and trucks. They tell me one consistent message: The Kerry amendment is a job killer, a threat to the safety of friends and families, a mandated market that eliminates consumer choice.

Now, 2,000 people a year, according to the National Academy of Sciences, have been killed by lighter cars. I don't want to tell a mom in my State she should not get an SUV because Congress decided that would be a bad choice. I just came from a news conference with Martha Godet, who explained last week that she wanted a minivan to carry her two preteen sons and one baby to various events. Her story in the newspaper was countered by one of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who said her proposal was ``nonsense.'' She extends an invitation to that Senator to join her in a carpool to see how it would be if they were in a subcompact or a Yugo. She said it would look like a clown car if they were in a Yugo that managed to meet the fuel standards in the Kerry amendment.

I am grateful for the support of the Missouri Soybean Association, Corn Growers, and the Farm Bureau. We appreciate the information on safety from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Association of Independent Insurers. The best way to get better mileage is through sound science and NHTSA.

I reserve the remainder of my time.