Washington, D.C.--“Today’s meeting held the sense of urgency that only comes from the need to confront critical issues facing our nation. The President said it perfectly – we have the opportunity to create legislation to affect America’s energy policy, address global warming, and reform health care. This will take our country in a new direction for decades to come. We discussed the vital issues affecting energy policy for America, and President Obama said he supports the goals of my legislation - the Open Fuel Standard Act (H.R. 1476) – which would require half of all cars made or sold in America by 2012, and 80% by 2015, to be flexible fuel vehicles. These vehicles would be able to run on gasoline, or alcohol-based fuels such as methanol or ethanol, or a combination of both.

“Issues like these are of paramount importance. The opportunity to work with a President who understands the importance of creating jobs, is willing to work with Congress on these matters, and who provided a generous give and take at this discussion, makes the process easier to manage, and makes me more optimistic for success.

“I look forward to continuing to work with President Obama on his agenda– energy policy, health care reform, global warming and education reforms. These are all issues which I have long made a top priority. For an urban/suburban district such as the one I represent in the Bronx, Westchester and Rockland Counties, these are issues I hear about regularly from my constituents. This is a year where I remain hopeful for real progress on these vital issues.”


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