U.S. Rep John Boccieri, National Security Experts: "The American Clean Energy And Security Act Will Make America More Secure"

WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Representative John Boccieri (OH-16) today participated in a press conference call with leading national security experts to discuss how the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed the U.S. House last month with bipartisan support, will make America more secure by reining our dependence on foreign oil, which the National Intelligence Council has called a major threat to the stability of American security.

Congressman John Boccieri (OH-16), who is a Major in the Air Force Reserve: "As a matter of our economic and national security we must end our dependence on foreign sources of energy and become energy independent in order to fuel our progress and defend our country. The pillars of the American Clean Energy and Security Act will create hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide that cannot be outsourced; producing clean, green energy; protecting our national security; and moving away from our dependence on foreign energy, especially oil."

Lieutenant General Donald L. Kerrick, USA (Ret.), former Deputy National Security Advisor under President Clinton and a member of the National Security Network: "The National Intelligence Council has concluded that climate change is one of three major threats that could further destabilize the international system, whether it's refugees created by climate issues, or wars over resources, or an increase in destructive weather events. All of those could undermine American and international security. National security begins at home and it begins by us getting our own energy and climate policies in order to prevent as many of these things as possible so we can deal with our own needs and so we are also prepared to respond to others."

Lawrence J. Korb, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and a Senior Advisor to the Center for Defense Information: "This clean energy legislation does four things that improve our national security. First, if we lessen our dependence on foreign oil, this gives us more flexibility in dealing with the Persian Gulf area. Second, climate change can lead to failed states; when you have failed states, they can become havens for terrorists; they can spread instability in the region and with globalization among others things, you could have disease. Third, by creating jobs here at home, this improves our economy and a strong economy is a foundation for a robust national security. If our economy doesn't come back, it's going to be very difficult for us to spend what we need to on defense. Finally, the Department of Defense has been mentioned as the largest consumer of oil and anything that we can do to lesson their dependence on oil will help hold down the cost of the defense budget as well as lesson the dependence on oil from very unstable areas in the world."

Jon Soltz, Iraq War veteran and Co-Founder and Chair of VoteVets.org: "Billions in Middle East oil profits have gone to the same terrorists we're fighting - who want to kill our troops. It is essential that we lessen our dependence on foreign oil, because when you get down to it, our national security starts at home. That's why the House did the right thing by passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act, and why the Senate absolutely has to follow suit and get this bill to the president - now."

Jonathan Powers, Iraq War veteran and Chief Operating Officer, Truman National Security Project: "It is critical for our national security that we move America away from dependence on dirty energy from foreign countries, which puts our troops' lives at risk, empties our nation's treasure, funds our enemies, and fuels the threat of climate change."

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