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RECENT VOTES

Climate Change

On Friday the House considered H.R. 2454: the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. This landmark legislation seeks to address global climate change and significantly increase our energy independence. It sets a series of caps on greenhouse gas emissions, targeting 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83% below 2005 levels by 2050. This will encourage businesses to invest in clean technologies and increase energy efficiencies. H.R. 2454 also encourages energy efficiency by updating national building codes to require 50% more energy efficiency by 2016.

It establishes programs for home and business weatherization as well as a grant program for non-profit community development organizations to assist low-income individuals increase energy efficiency. Some of the revenue generated through this bill is dedicated to assisting low-income families and protecting consumers from energy price increases.

I worked hard to try and strengthen this bill but as you can imagine, getting a measure that could pass the House was not an easy task. I do have a concern that the market-based approach taken by this legislation could allow some in the financial industry to abuse the process to increase energy prices without actually improving the environment. As this legislation moves forward I will work to address those concerns and to further strengthen the bill.

I voted YES. H.R. 2454 passed in the House and the entire vote is recorded below:

• Research H.R. 2454 on Congress.gov
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