Gore Backs House Global Warming Bill
By: RNS
Updated: April 24, 2009
(Washington, DC) -- Former Vice President Al Gore is backing a sweeping global warming bill in the House.
Testifying in a congressional hearing, Gore called the Democratic bill one of the most important pieces of legislation ever introduced.
Gore, who has achieved international acclaim for his campaign on climate change, argued that global warming poses an urgent threat to humanity.
Another supporter of the legislation, former Virginia Republican Senator John Warner, called this a critical moment in U.S. history.
Democrat Gore said the legislation will simultaneously deal with climate change, the economic crisis and national security.
That, he argued, will be accomplished by reducing carbon-based pollution, creating new green industry jobs and ending America's dependence on foreign oil.
Republican critics and some moderate Democrats argue that the legislation will hurt U.S. industry while prompting a steep rise in energy costs.
