I just got a note from Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- 's office that I thought was worth passing on in light of
what's not happening in the Senate:
Speaker Pelosi has finally responded today to Rep. Boehner’s request that she bring up the “cap and more tax” legislation developed by her hand-picked Global Warming committee, chaired by Rep. Ed Markey. Yet, oddly, the Speaker’s response makes no mention of Rep. Markey, his committee, or his legislation. When she created the Markey committee, the Speaker said of global warming, “With this new Select Committee, we demonstrate the priority we are giving to confront this most serious challenge. Now is time to act; the future of our country, indeed our entire planet, is at stake.” If the entire planet is indeed at stake, why is the Speaker ignoring the committee she created specifically to deal with the issue?
You can check out Boehner's letter
here (PDF), but Madame Speaker of State's response is worth the pixels to reproduce on WMD:
June 5, 2008
The Honorable John A. Boehner
House Republican Leader
H-204, The Capitol Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Leader Boehner:
Thank you for your letter yesterday on the issue of climate change.
Last year, I tasked ten Committee Chairmen to bring forth comprehensive energy legislation by July 4, 2007. Our Chairmen met that deadline, and in December the President signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which passed with strong bipartisan support. This historic energy legislation includes an increase in vehicle fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon in 2020 - the first congressionally-mandated increase in more than three decades - and promotes the use of more advanced American biofuels. This legislation is a critical first step toward addressing our nation's energy independence and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Energy and Commerce Committee is taking the lead on further legislation to combat the global climate crisis. That Committee, and others, have been holding hearings on how best to reduce the conditions contributing to global warming. This is a complex issue and we will continue to proceed through the legislative process. Additionally, we will work to develop other innovative legislation that addresses high energy costs and our transition to a more fuel-efficient economy.
Again, thank you for your letter, and I look forward to working together on behalf of America's working families.
Best regards,
NANCY PELOSI
Speaker of the House
I have no idea how you respond to a letter about a specific piece of legislation that would raise taxes and destroy the economy by throwing a parade over a bill passed last year, but Madame Speaker of State never fails to amaze and astound...
