carrot of the states would be provided under the program. >> that is correct. >> so, in some ways, we would just be encouraging more expensive care. than solving the problem, which is hard to cover a population when there are state economic budget challenges. >> i think that is correct. i think you are making it very easy for individuals to make the decision if they are not in a program, they're going to go to the program that exists for them. >> so, mr. chairman, i think that this -- i would like to know with the overnight plus unemployment rate, what we have done even in states that rohrer close to double-digit unemployment rates. it would be interesting to know what the population we're talking about up until the time of the exchange and what impact

that might be on the exchange. . . i think he wanted to seek recognition with respect to a vote. >> how about voting on the other thing on the amendment? are we ready for that yet? >> i am ready. i understand senator white may

be in the affirmative with the harper amendment. we have one more amendment. senator kyl will not be here tomorrow. he assures us it should take no more than two minutes. >> i will not be here in the morning during the mark up. i'll be here after the judiciary mark up. this is the amendment d-2 regarding a physician feedback program. we try to find an offset in the short amount of time. we were unable to find an acceptable of separate of a want to have the vote, but i want to thank senator conrad. i want to continue to work with him to get this resolved before we go to the floor. if we adopt the amendment, i am agreeable to have a different

offset before a gets to the floor. this is the problem had to sell because we are taking the top 10% of physicians and spending, irrespective of who they were or why they spent the monday and fining them. because it was thought to be too arbitrary, we wanted to eliminate that particular program. if we could adopt the amendment, i am sure we could find the appropriate box at before we go to the floor. thank you. >> mr. chairman, i want to do it thank sure how for offering the amendment. i disagree for the offset. i would be constrained to ask for the amendment at this point. i do think he has raised an employe -- an important point. i think we would be well and devised to have the position feedback program but not to

apply penalty. i do not think we know enough to be certain that there would not be unintended consequences this year. i would resist the amendment, but i would also commit to working with senator kyl before we get to the floor and see if we cannot find another offset to deal with this issue. >> i do think -- i would note that all we do restrict the penalty. the program continues. >> they all said has been taken out of the cost. >> it is a billion dollar cost. [inaudible] >> [inaudible] no by proxy. no by proxy. no by proxy.

no by proxy. no. no by proxy. no. no. no by proxy. no by proxy. pass. no by proxy. aye. aye by proxy. aye. aye. aye. aye. aye by proxy. aye. aye by proxy. aye by proxy.

no. no. 10 ayes, 13 nayes. >> in pursuit of committee business, i had to be outed the room during the amendment. if i could be recorded as "yes." we have already done -- >> we have already done that. >> thank you. >> t more thanhank the camp -- i thank the committee for their work this evening. i hope we will be as productive tomorrow.

the committee will recess until 1030 tomorrow morning. -- 30 a.m. tomorrow morning. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2009]

>> day 6 of the health care bill. members talked about what happens to the finance committee bill after an you see committee. democratic leaders will decide what elements to include from two bills. the one debated here by the finance committee and another defense bill for any senate health committee then one bill will be sent to the senate floor. gop members of the finance committee are looking for assurances from chairman baucus that they would have been a chance to review the legislation before the final bill is voted on by the full senate. chairman baucus said he would act in good faith and that members would have a chance to review the legislation mall the congressional budget office looks at it to determine the cost. it must happen before it goes to

the senate floor. more work on amendments tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. eastern time. we will have live coverage on c- span3. >> for more information on the health-care debate, this is c- span's healthcare hub. you will find links and congressional budget office reports. you can also watch healthcare speeches and interviews. visit c-span.org and go to our featured links section. >> distracted drivers killed almost 6000 people and injured more than half a million in america last year according to transportation secretary ray lahood. his remarks on next on c-span. barbara boxer spoke to reporters

about climate change and energy legislation. we will also hear from the bill's, author, senator john kerry. after that, senate republicans weigh in on climate legislation. >> supreme court week starts sunday with c-span's a ridge to a documentary, the supreme court, home to america's highest court. >> it comes in the relationship between the lawyer who is arguing at the podium and the court that is arguing to. if you stop to think of the when you go in there, you will see that if one of us lint -- lead over the bench as far as we clean and the lawyer arguing leaned toward us, we could almost shake hands. that is a very important thing. it means that when the arguments take place, you are physically and psychologically close enough to each other so that there is a possibility for real engagement.

>> can insider's view of the court and hear from all the justices about the roles, and traditions, and history. the supreme court, homes to america's highest court premiere sunday on c-span. for behind the scenes sneak peek, connect to c-span through twitter, facebook, and you to the. -- youtube. >> ray lahood said the u.s. is experience an epidemic of distracted driving, thousands of deaths last year brita the secretary gave opening remarks at a summit in washington -- last year. the secretary gave opening remarks at a summit in washington. this is 20 minutes. >> good morning. i am the it minister of the

research and . i am honored to be here today to open this very important event and to introduce the secretary of transportation. when secretary of hud announced his plan to hold the summit, their response was overwhelming. from vehicles, two crash victims, to manufacturers, to scientists, we heard from you. you may fear this present day opportunity for us to work together and tackle the serious safety issue. i want to express my picks -- appreciation to those who are participating for lending their expertise. to ensure that this summit adjust your specific concerns, we hold all the participants to

find out what was on your mind. we heard from almost all of you. you said you wanted to hear information about a wide variety of distractions. we have a need for a very real and effective solution now. your feedback helped ensure that the summit will address the wide range of issues surrounding distracted driving. over the past decade, the use a cell phones and other interactive devices has exploded, moving beyond a new means of communication and becoming the expected way to stay connected to our families, friends, and work. as the role of mobile technology rules our daily life, it has been more prevalent in our daily travels with deadly consequences. whether talking with a friend on the freeway or texting and traffic, it is a growing city

concern on their communities. it has already hit home for many people including several individuals who have wished to share their experience with us today enter here in the room. it was important that they be here as well as leading researchers to offer the diversity of perspective needed to make this summit a success in this unique combination of hard science -- success. this unique combination of hard science and the day-to-day implications of distractived driving miss makes this summit a groundbreaking event in opening a government decision making to the public. over 300 people are here today. over 10,000 are watching at home.

many of the folks in this room for providing research material, papers, sample advertisements and that kind of thing for our display area. even though the department does not endorse any specific publication or prada, it is certainly a very good a ray of the kinds of things that all of you creative folks -- a good array of the kind of things on the creative folks are doing. secretary low hood -- ray lahood understands this and an effort to understand this critical safety issue that we produce real solutions. for his entire career, he has dedicated himself to public service and improving the lives of americans. with hands-on experience and an

unparalleled understanding of the legislative process, he is numbers bring different voices together and green and toward a common goal. he has dedicated himself and over 55,000 people a new basuto 62. he knows our focus on safety is consistent with his other key d.o.t. goals. the transportation committee is in great hands. ladies and gentlemen, join me in welcoming the driving force behind this, secretary ray lahood. [applause] >> good morning. thank you for organizing it.

we are really grateful to you. to all of you who are joining us here today, we are here to deliver a very serious problem. to put it plainly, distracted driving is a menace to society. distracted driving is an epidemic. it seems to be getting worse every year. this trend distresses me deeply both on a personal level and as the nation's chief executive for transportation safety. today we are kicking off a two day summit that is going to look at the stem the epidemic from every angle. we are bringing together top experts in safety, a transportation research, regulatory affairs, and law enforcement to help us identify,

target, and tackle the fundamental elements of this problem. we are including a panel of teens and young adults, because we think their perspective and ideas are key to changing the behavior of their peers. every single time you take your eyes of the road or talk on the phone what you are driving, even for just a few seconds, you put your life in danger. in to put other allies in danger also. this kind of behavior is irresponsible. the consequences are devastating. i met this morning several men and women who have suffered as a result of accidents caused by distracted driving. their stories are heartbreaking. they asked to burt is a pay in

today summoned to share their stories -- to participate in today's summit to share their stores and remind what is at stake. i would like them to stand and be recognized. let us thank them for their courage in coming here today. please, all of those that are here as a result of the sad stories, please stand and be recognized. [applause] thank you very much. with their permission, i will describe some of their experiences. greg from chicago lost his mother when a driver who was painting her nails said she never saw the red light at the intersection. greg has formed a group called "the black and male burgrave close code two is working to end

the distractive -- distractive blacksna -- "the black nail bri" kimberly and her daughter haley lost a husband and father when a distracted driver swerved suddenly, crossed lanes, and hit his truck. to each of you and the other survivors here today who were injured or lost a loved one, cheryl adams from washington, dave and judy from michigan, thank you for participating. the trauma of these people live through is just the tip of the iceberg.

our latest research findings that nearly 6000 people died last year in crashes involving a distracted for inattentive driver. more than half a million were injured. on any given day, more than 800,000 vehicles were driven last year by someone using a hand-held cell phone in during the day. a hundred thousand vehicles. the worst offenders are the youngest and least experienced drivers, men and women under 20 years old. a teenage drivers are at greater risk for getting in an accident than other drivers. on top of that, the research shows that teen drivers are likelier to sustain severe injuries in a crash eight they are distracted by a cell phone. across the board, federal researchers found that more and

more people are using a variety of hand-held devices while driving. it is not just self loans but ipods, and video games, blackberry, and so forth. they are doing it every day of the week in the rain and with children in the car. we know this problem is not limited to private citizens. incredibly, bus drivers, train operators, truck drivers, and even school bus drivers have allowed it distractions to interfere with their work. a year ago, commuter train engineer in california was so busy texting a friend that he failed to stop at a red light. because one of the worst passenger/rail accidents in years, killing 25 people and

injuring 135 more. in july, a 25-year old tow truck driver in new york was texting and talking and crashed through a fence, it is what a house, landed in a swimming pool, and injured his passengers. a generation ago, our society often turned a blind eye to people who would drink and drive and not use a seat belts or maybe both. those problems taught as a valuable lesson. we need a combination of strong laws, a tough enforcement, on going public education to really make a difference. this problem is still widespread. many advocacy groups and insurance companies are getting the message out and educating people about distracted driving.

the wireless and electronic industries are beginning to take this seriously. they tried to make their device is safer to use. on the day i announced this summit, a former colleague of mine called me. he said, we are on board. we are with you. we want to be helpful. i appreciate the kind of leadership. more than two in your people this year had been -- 200 distracted driving bills have been introduced this year. i am grateful to the legislators who are here today from all over the country, people who a taken an interest in this issue and their legislation by introducing passing bills and progress is being made. i am proud of my home state of illinois. we are adopting a ban on texting while driving. john, thank you for your leadership and illinois. i know there are others that are

providing the same type of leadership in their state. 21 states and the addition of columbia band itself loans for novice drivers. six states ban cell phone use by all drivers. those who drive around d.c. know what is going on. people are still on their cell phones and still texting. it is a good start. there is much more we need to do. tomorrow i will announce some of the actions we are taking it the federal level to deal with this. in the meantime, i want to remind everyone that you cannot rely on legal action only because in reality you cannot legislate behavior. there are not enough police on patrol to catch everyone who is breaking the law. taking personal responsibility for our actions is the key to all of us, taking responsibility for our actions is the key.

research shows that your chances of a crash multiplied when you dial your phone or text while driving. so, keep your eyes on the road. it is up to each of us to do that they did do not wait for your employer to tell you not to text or talk on company time. to not wait for your community to pass a law. parents, it is up to you to help your teenage drivers understand the risk involved. two studies released this week found that teenagers are far less likely to use a cell phone when they drive if their parents set clear rules. this is an issue that affects -- not an issue that affects one area. it affects everybody who gets in a vehicle, a day or night.

we are in this together. as a nation, community, and we got to solve it together. that is why i am so grateful that overthrew him people came here today. later this afternoon, i will come back and find out what the group has accomplished and what the next steps should be and will be. we are not here to simply study the problem. we are here to come up with solutions. i am hopeful that the work we are beginning today will make all of us and our loved ones much safer on the road in the months and years to come. i do not know if there is any more important meeting that we can have at d.o.t. in the meeting that will take place in the next day and a half. let's roll up our sleeves and go to work. let's solve this a very, very serious problem, this epidemic in america. thank you very much. [applause]

>> on tomorrow mornings "washington journal" we will talk to david hoffman. he has a new book on the story of the cold war arms race in the dangers legacy. after that, joann sestet -- joe sestak will talk about the security situation in afghanistan. "washington journal" begins each morning at 7:00 a.m. eastern with today's news. >> the students cam contest is here. pity thousand dollars in prizes for middle and -- five -- $50,000 in prizes for middle and high school students. it must incorporate c-span programming in show varying points of view.

the deadline is january 20. winning entries will be shown on c-span. grab the camera and get started. >> senate environment chairman barbara boxer held a meeting on the legislation. it is co authored by john kerry, chairman of the foreign relations committee. it said tougher standards on carbon emissions than a house bill that passed earlier this year. this is about an hour. >> that is wonderful. i am so pleased to be here standing with my colleagues, and national security leaders,

veterans, workers, environmental organizations, religious leaders, while by protectors comic energy companies, and so many others as we introduce the clean energy jobs and american power act. we are very excited. this bill addresses the major challenges of our generation. protecting our children and the earth from dangerous pollution, putting america back in control of our energy future, creating the policies that will lead to millions of new jobs, and through our example, inspiring similar actions around the world to avoid an unstable and dangerous future. as chairman of the environment public works committee, i want to thank so many of my colleagues and their staff on and off the committee.

senator kerry's staff and my office has been a team, working together for weeks and often late into the night. colleagues have been so important in their efforts. their work is respected in the bill. our bill had stronger targets in the short term. we have expanded our coalition in the business community. in our bill, the basic problem to can -- promised to consumers has been kept. the promise to rely heavily on fossil fuels has been kept. the first major part include authorization. some would be eligible for appropriation and some which would be eligible for appropriation and allowances. some of these are enhanced from the waxman bill. some are new. here are just a few examples.

investment in new gas, and new transmission infrastructure, nuclear worker training, and a green economic development, offsets aren't charities are included. -- offsets are included in the bill. adaptation authorizations include what fire prevention, flood control, water infrastructure, and advancements in cold still -- coastal communities and wildlife protection. our bill is a stronger role to mayors and local governments. i want to point out that tomorrow the 1000 mayor will sign on to the climate change priority. that is very exciting. 1000 may years. [applause]

-- mayroors. [applause] in the second section, we have strong principles laid out for market transparency and oversight. we set up an office of offset integrity. senator kerrey is going to continue to work hand in hand with our committee on these allowances. we have put into this section a soft collar to address cost containment and to limit speculation while maintaining the environmental integrity of the pollution cap. our bill does nine add one penny to the deficit. -- does not add one penny to the deficit. we are excited about that. in closing, let me say that my

state of california is going through a very hard time ran out. it weighs heavily on me every single day. there is in california one bright spot. that is clean energy jobs in businesses. the few charitable trust reports that 10,000 new clean energy businesses were launched in california between 1998 and 07. during that time, 125,000 jobs were generated. that is 15% and in the california economy as a whole. a latest economic study predicts up to one put 9 million new jobs in america. -- if we pass our bill. we know that clean energy is the ticket to strong, stable

economic growth. it is right here in front of our eyes in the ingenuity of our workers, in the vision of our entrepreneurs. it is in studies and models. we know it is the way forward. it is estimated to reach 2.5 times the size of the global personal computer market by the year 2020. we know from capitalist to testified that billions and billions of dollars will flow from the private sector right into the market place as soon as the past our bill. other countries will move ahead if we do not seize this opportunity. if we do, we will be a leader in the world as the protect the earth and all who will hear from a future that the world's most respected scientists agree is threatened if we do not act. no one knows what challenges we will face in their time.

no one chooses their time. this is our time. global warming is our challenge. economic recover is our challenge. american leadership is our challenge. let us step up right now. let us not quit. i mean all of us out tear and all over america -- let us not quit. -- let us not quit until we have filled our responsibilities to our children and grandchildren. thank you very much. thank you. what degree date. it is like giving birth again. with a little different kind of pain pitta it is a great honor -- pain. it is a great honor to introduce

a leader in this battle and five for many years, a man who is recognized around the world for his leadership in this whole issue of climate change and national security. could we get the warmest of wellcome's to the author of this great bill, john kerry from massachusetts? >> first of all, let me profoundly thank you, barbara, your staff, and all of our colleagues who are appear on the stage and many who are not contributed to this effort to all of the various groups of all different walks of life, from business to the environment, who have joined together to help bring us this beginning moment.

this is the beginning of one of the most important battles that we will ever face as legislators and efficent. i want to particularly thank barbara boxer who has been at this for a long time. in this effort, she has done california and the country prop. i am grateful to work with you. >> thank you. we introduced this legislation because of one word, security. national security, economic security. america knows that is the battle that the fish right now. the fact is, that what is in this bill provides ability for american to get back into the driver's seat and take back control of our and security and take charge of our future.

we have a chance to put millions of people back to work, leading the world. we can safeguard the air that our children read, the water that people change, we can stabilize a dangerous the changing climate that demand our attention because the current course threatens our safety. -- car safety, health, at economic -- economy. they are all sending us the same message. it is time to reinvent the way that america uses energy. that is exactly what this legislation does. the clean energy jobs is bold and comprehensive. from coal to natural gas to

nuclear to renewable energy sources like solar and wind, it strengthens them all making the energy sources cleaner. . . every dollar that we invest in clean energy creates nearly four times as many jobs as at $1 invested in the other fuels. this will create good paying jobs in every single region of the country, or american workers

with every single educational background, and these jobs will stay here in america and cannot be shifted overseas. [applause] but france, it is time for us -- my friends, it is time for us to get smart and think about energy production. we do not need to send money overseas which goes to support -- some of which goes to support jihadists over seas. we compared future back in control. the pollution reduction measures in this bill are very tightly focused for maximum impact. only companies in bidding 25,000 tons of carbon or more each year are covered. that is nowhere near a small business, like some people will

strike a -- try to frighten you and suggest. it is nowhere near the a -- the average american. these are big polluters. these are big entities with an output equivalent to 2300 homes, or four thousand 600 automobiles, or 130 rio freight cars pulled kohl -- 130 railway cars full of coal. even as it does that, and exams over 98% of america's small businesses, and guess what? it still covers 75% of america's carbon pollution. this is a smart way to start the ball rolling and transition american -- and transition america to clean energy. we did this in 1990 but the

clean air act. everyone said they could not happen but we went ahead and did it, and we did it four times faster and about 25% of the cost that everyone was predicting. no one can predict the power of american ingenuity and creativity when we get to work and get the job done. fundamentally, this bill is about keeping americans safe. that's why the admiral and a lieutenant general, but first woman to become a three-star general in the united states army, another captain, and so many who have worn the uniform of our country are still telling -- are standing with us today. our addiction to foreign oil hurts our economy and damages are security. they will say that unless we act

decisively, climate change could become a threat multiplier, all lit match on the candling of on the already dangerous world. they know that there is more weight to serve your country and to keep america say. they are here today because we need to act. not in six months, not in five years or 10 years or 20 years, but we need to act now and get the job done for the world. now i see a lot of veterans standing out here. we all know, and the people standing behind me, the senators understand -- this is not going to be easy. washington is used to letting big goal standing between the poles of everyday citizen. we know what is coming. people will say that we cannot afford to act. but in truth, you know it, we know the truth.

those who served in the military know the truth. our security and our economy will both be strengthened and we cannot afford not to act. america's top business leaders, some of our best innovators and on to open doors and venture- capital is, leaders of fortune 500 companies, they have all joined together to understand that the century ahead is going to be a clean energy century. it has to be one. the question is, will america take charge of its own future and will we lead the world in this endeavor? i am convinced that we can meet our challenge because it is in our national character. innovation and invention are rally the american dna. i am convinced that americans

want us to lead the world as we have before. we invented the technologies of wind and solar and now it is time to take back control of our own future. [applause] so, my friends, we have questions of war and peace and they supersede everything, but this is one of the most important fights we are going to fight. in nine to understand -- and we need to understand that we've laid the cornerstone where we're growing, and 30 years from now, our air will be more breathable, our water will be more drinkable, our children and grandchildren will power their homes, fuel their cards on energy made in america at that works for america. we can solve our energy crisis, we can pirate our economy, we

can strengthen america's power, but first we have to roll up our sleeves, work, and pass the clean energy jobs and american power act. it is my pleasure to introduce a man who spent 35 years defending our country in the united states navy and he is still fighting for our country today. he is the president of american security project. he is a decorated naval commander. he commanded amphibious group 3, comprising 19 ships, and 16,000 sailors and marines. in somalia he commanded the largest operation. when he talks about energy and climate change affecting our security, he speaks with special of party. vice admiral lee dunn.

>> thank you, senator kerry. honor didn't get -- honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, i come at this from a different perspective from many americans. there are several other veterans to assume the senator has referred, and i know that i share this perspective with them. as he said, i spent over 35 years as a sailor in uniform serving our nation. i enlisted in the naval reserve in 1961, receive my commission as a navy officer during the vietnam war, and retired a decade after the berlin wall fell. i commanded forces at sea and over 4000 u.n. troops from somalia in what was as admiral kerry said -- as senator kerry said, the largest ambiguous --

amphibious evacuation in history. that was something that only america could have done. i have weathered enormous storm succeed, overseen billions of dollars of the defense budget, seen threats materialize from crowds that moments before appeared to be just innocent civilians. with my brothers and sisters in uniform, i witnessed firsthand the ravages of grinding poverty we have come to place around the world and the consequences of field governments. mass movements of people desperate for a better life. yet of all but brett's i have witness, i have never seen at threat as complex are one for which we are as little prepared as the threat that is posed by climate change. climate change can worsen every security challenge we face today

and present us with new and dramatically different risk as well. it is the issue of our times and that is why i am here today. tackling climate change and reshaping the way that we use energy is not a choice. it is an imperative to keep america secure. to keep america secure, we have to stop sending billions of dollars overseas to regimes that don't always wish us well. for energy supplies that choke our air and warm our planet. make no mistake, climate change resulting from carbon pollution will lead to a cascading series of serious consequences they constitute a grave threat to our national security. changing weather plans will make water more scarce and disrupt agriculture on a massive scale. it will create multitudes of climate refugees, desperate

people moving to survive and undermine already fragile states and expand the opportunities for extremism and terrorism that fine will increase. it will make us far less secure. i am one voiced today, but i hear this message growing louder every day, from the intelligence community, from the department of defense, from the president last week at the u.n., and from countless veterans around the country who no wonder understand this key point -- attacking climate change is not simply about saving polar bears but preserving our way of life. americans were against dispensable and confronting the biggest challenges of the 20th century. two world wars and the cold war threatened our way of life in our very existence as a nation. without the energy, creativity, and courage of americans ben, the world would be a part

different place today. climate change is the national security challenge of the 21st century. america and americans must step up again. it is time for courage and resolve and leadership in america. our nation is again indispensable. we must seize the moment. america's men and women in uniform expect and deserve to see us as a people working to confront the national security threat of our time. thank you. [applause] [inaudible] >> capt. aaron bailey has just a -- has just served our country in afghanistan, but he knows whereof he speaks, and i am delighted he is here today

and we all thank him for his service. >> good morning. it is my pleasure to be here today. as a west point graduates, i served in afghanistan and have seen firsthand the challenges that america faces abroad. i remember squalid refugee camps where mothers and fathers did not know where they would get their next meal for their children. tribesmen in arms to fight over the most basic resources. dire poverty and desperation creates are ready and willing pool for caliban recruits. but there are other threats that we do not hear about so often and that is why we're here today to bring attention to the double threat of america's reliance on fossil fuels and the national security consequences that this creates. every day our nation spends $1 billion buying oil from other

countries. this dependence works very well for countries like iran and venezuela, but it does not work so well for us. instead of investing the money right here in america and using it to develop new technologies and secure domestic jobs, we're putting money into the pockets of al qaeda and the television. needless to say, this bill is my bella servicemen and women in danger. -- this puts my fellow servicemen and women in danger. i saw how the strains our resources. our lack of clean energy technology degrades our military readiness and hinders our ability who seek to -- to disrupt those who seek to harm american troops. and if that is not enough to worry about, that iraq does not stop there. this is deepening the effects of climate change. storms and rising sea levels will force millions to flee their homes, creating on stable

populations were terrorist groups can find sanctuary, and recruit new members. as water dries out and bam and spreads, conflict over scarce resources will increase. the same kind of conflict i witnessed in afghanistan. ultimately, much of the burden of providing security and humanitarian assistance during this time of crisis will fall on the shoulders of the united states military. for these reasons, we are calling on the united states senate to take bold action to curb the effects of climate change and develop clean, homegrown american energy. we wish to remain safe and strong. we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. we are here today to create an energy future in which america produces its own clear it -- its own clean energy and calls its own shots.

this is a fight we must win. this is a bite we will win. thank you. -- this is a fight we will win. thank you. [applause] >> we see now why we are talking about a security issued an economic issue. it is my privilege to introduce the wonderful senators who are with us. many of them are on the e p w committee and their leaders with main -- and they are leaders with me. we have the senators here to show their support. for i introduce our first great senator, senator a lot and berg -- senator lautenberg.

a note from senator lieberman. of an " as you know well, and global warming threatens not only our environment better national security every day we do not act. the problem of global warming intensify and that is why early action is imperative. i will do everything i can to help achieve the broad bipartisan consensus necessary to pass the climate change bill in this congress and signed it. sincerely, joe lieberman. and with no further ado, a great leader on our committee, senator frank lautenberg. >> thank you very much, barbara boxer. thank you, john kerry, and all of my colleagues here who feel similarly about the threat of global warming. and thanks to all of you. and the bar as something from a movie, i know that you are sick and tired of it and you don't

want to take it anymore! we are here to do what is right the board is too late. and in the past months, are hit committee has held numerous hearings on the need the plight global warming produces -- production. we have heard business leaders who have told us to act decisively to develop the new energy technologies that we need to retain our economic leadership. we heard from militate your -- from military leadership here ian with heard from leading scientists to have told us that we only have a small window of opportunity before the change to our planet is irreversible. earlier this year, the house passed its landmark bill to break our dependence on dirty polluting fuels while we invest in clean energy economies. all eyes are now on the senate to see if weil