No More Gas Guzzlers for Congress?

[rodeodance]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/04/3619/

Published on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 by McClatchy Newspapers
No More Gas Guzzlers for Congress?
by Rob Hotakainen

WASHINGTON - Republican Rep. Joe Barton, who drives a gas-guzzling Chevy Tahoe to get around his home state of Texas, says he’s very happy with his large sport utility vehicle.

“It is a very good vehicle. … But I don’t believe it would be certified as a low greenhouse-gas emitting vehicle,” said Barton, a 12-term veteran and the top-ranked Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

But Barton, who leases the Tahoe at taxpayers’ expense, could be forced to downsize as part of Congress’ effort to reduce global warming. Just before leaving town for its August recess, the House of Representatives approved a little-noticed amendment to its energy bill that would allow members of Congress to lease only environmentally friendly cars.

The vote was a victory for Missouri Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who authored the amendment. He estimates that it would affect about 100 members who spend more than $1 million a year to lease vehicles, including many large luxury cars.