U.S. Senators Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) sent a letter to the President Wednesday calling for a bi-partisan national summit with the President to develop a consensus proposal that addresses the current energy crisis. The request comes following White House Spokesperson Tony Fratto's recent comments that, "A 'summit' isn't an answer."
"With energy prices skyrocketing and the costs to Americans getting more burdensome by the day, it is imperative that all elected officials work together to try and find common sense solutions -- and fast," said Senator Nelson. "I believe Congress and the Administration must set aside partisan differences now and work together on our current and future energy security."
"There is no excuse, no reason why the White House and the Congress cannot begin to set partisanship and politics aside to develop a consensus energy proposal," Senator Snowe said. "This effort should not be without executive leadership and so we are hoping the President will join us in convening a national summit that will lay the groundwork for a comprehensive energy policy."
July 9, 2008
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We were disappointed to learn of the reaction of your press secretary to our call for a national emergency summit on energy. In view of the urgency of the matter, we strongly believe that calling all of the stakeholders together will help build a path to energy security.
Mr. President, the American people expect Congress and the Administration to move beyond position statements and create a workable national energy policy. Americans currently spend an average of 6.5 percent of their household budgets on energy. For households in the bottom quarter of incomes, 11.6 percent now goes to energy costs. Along the northern tier of this country, skyrocketing heating costs are making this winter a frightening prospect.
Although both parties have outlined energy policies, neither has been able to achieve the bipartisan consensus necessary to forge a workable solution. Meanwhile, the status quo continues to fail the American people. We believe it is imperative that you work with Congress to convene a national energy summit to bring together key stakeholders with the goal of developing consensus on sensible proposals that address the crisis facing the American people.
We will continue working on a bipartisan basis to make this happen and look forward to having your commitment in this effort.
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