“Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing today. It is a pleasure to have Secretary Mineta and the other witnesses join us today to discuss fuel economy standards for passenger cars.

“Today we will hear about whether the Administration has or does not have the authority to raise fuel economy standards. In this regard, I hope Secretary Mineta will clarify a number of issues for us today.

“First, if the Administration believes it does not have the authority to raise fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles, why has it not already asked for it? This body has passed a number of energy bills it could have been included in.

“Second, if the Administration were to receive this authority would it increase fuel economy standards immediately?  Over the last several years this Administration has consistently opposed increases in fuel economy standards and oil savings plans. In its Statement of Administration Policy on H.R. 6, the Bush Administration stated that it strongly opposed a proposal to reduce U.S. demand for oil by one-million barrels per day.

“The Statement of Administration Policy also stated that the Administration strongly opposed any amendment to legislate an increase in fuel economy standards.

The Bush Administration and Republican leadership has continuously failed to adequately respond to the growing impact of gas prices on the working family and the energy security of this nation.

“The Bush Administration’s energy policy, 95 percent of which has been implemented, has done nothing to reduce gas prices for consumers. In fact, the Energy Information Administration predicted last year’s energy bill would actually increase the cost of gas to consumers and it has.

“In my district, gas prices have long been soaring above three dollars a gallon. Transportation costs have increased by more than $1,400 per family – an increase of 75 percent since 2001!

This increase acts as a tax on our small businesses, which we know are critical to America’s economy and are also impacting our school districts.

“The Los Angeles Unified School District had to budget an additional $2 million for its fuel budget for busing and after school activities. School districts across the country are being forced to choose between fueling buses, funding construction, hiring new teachers and taking children on field trips. 

“These problems have existed for a while, yet time after time this body has rejected increases in fuel economy standards.  I strongly support increased fuel economy standards and believe that this tactic is yet another attempt by the Administration to defer attention from the lack of action on this important issue.

“It is past time for this Administration and this Congress to take real steps to protect our consumers, our working families, our school districts and our national security.

“Secretary Mineta, I look forward to hearing your responses to my inquiries and yield back the balance of my time.”