Do you know why they throw these last minute pages into bills? To buy the votes to pass the bill on the floor! They start promising each other their pork and that gets thrown together.
8 Republicans voted for this bill and turned against our liberties and fiscal responsibility.
Now we are calling and emailing our Senators telling them to vote NO on Cap and Trade in the Senate. This is nothing more than a whole lot more spending and paying off special interests along with loss of jobs and controlling us down to the light bulbs we have to use.
In Florida, Senator Mel Martinez said he had not made up his mind yet on what his vote is going to be. I wrote to him explaining the reasons why he needs to stand by us and vote no on Cap and Trade.
Apparently, he is going to vote yes. Another turncoat. Another blow to 59% of us who do not want Cap and Trade. Another vote of "who cares what the people want," because it is all about what they are going to get out of the deal. Mel is not running again for the Senate so I wonder what his motive is with his vote.
This is his email to me regarding our request for him to vote NO ON CAP AND TAX!
Dear Mrs. Gasset:So where does he get the idea that China and India are going to follow our example, our lead, in pollution control? In his dreams? What an insult to our intelligence to think we are really so stupid to believe that this is good for our country. No MORE SPENDING is the message the GOP must come back if they have any chance of survival in 2010.
Thank you for contacting me regarding the American Clean Energy and Security Act. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to take this opportunity to respond to your concerns.
On May 15, 2009, Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) introduced the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454). This bill would create an absolute cap on total emissions from all covered entities including the electric power, transportation, oil and gas industry, and other commercial sectors with the goal of reducing greenhouse gases. This cap would be lowered over time through 2050, and a government-created market would be established to sell and trade emission allowances. On June 26, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454 by a vote of 219-212. H.R. 2454 now awaits further consideration in the Senate.
I believe that the threat of climate change is real, and I am working with my colleagues in the Senate to regulate and reduce greenhouse emissions. As we consider climate change legislation, we need to ensure that the laws we pass will in fact reduce carbon emissions and lessen the threat of catastrophic climate change. Additionally, we need to consider and attempt to mitigate any negative effects the new laws would have on our economy, energy prices, and Americans living on fixed incomes.
The United States cannot solve this problem alone, and similar efforts in China and India are critical to combating this threat. However, our country can provide needed leadership and technological innovation for the international community, and, as one of the world's largest energy consumers, it is time for the United States to accept this responsibility. The choices we make now in dealing with climate change may be some of the most significant environmental and economic decisions of our generation. I assure you that I am committed to passing legislation to counter the threat posed by global climate change, and I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind should H.R. 2454, or any related legislation, receive the attention of the full Senate.
Again, thank you for contacting me. If you have any additional questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. In addition, for more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.
Sincerely,
Mel Martinez
United States Senator
