U.S. Chamber Urges Daschle to Act on Energy Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Chamber of Commerce today joined more than 1,300 business and labor groups in urging Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) to keep his promise to bring comprehensive energy legislation to the Senate floor soon.

"We are calling on Senator Daschle to keep his promise on energy," said Bruce Josten, U.S. Chamber executive vice president. "We cannot afford further delays that increase our dependency on foreign energy and compromise our national security."

Last year, the House passed comprehensive energy policy legislation — H.R. 4, the Securing America's Future Energy Act of 2001. This legislation will ensure a reliable, affordable domestic supply to meet our future needs and protect our national security, according to the Chamber. It expands the use of nuclear power and renewable energy sources, including hydro, biomass, solar, and wind.

"The House has done its job and it's time for the Senate to act," said Josten. "We must not let any more time pass by to make comprehensive upgrades to our domestic energy system and security."

The Chamber has led the fight for a national energy plan and co-chairs the Alliance for Energy and Economic Growth — a broad-based coalition of more than 1300 small and large businesses, labor unions, and energy suppliers urging Congress to pass such a plan.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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