Reichert Applauds McCain's leadership on global climate change

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                        Contact: Mike Shields                                                         

May 13, 2008                                                                                                                                      202.255.2816 

Reichert Applauds McCain's leadership on global climate change

McCain trying to change GOP; That is Reichert's Goal too

Bellevue, WA - Today, Senator John McCain visited North Bend, WA to tout his plan to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that contributes to global climate change through a business-friendly cap and trade system.

Congressman Dave Reichert delivered the following remarks about McCain's visit to the his district on KIRO radio: 

"John McCain realizes, as many Republicans do, that the time for discussing climate change and the issue of preserving our environment for our children, grandchildren and the wildlife that live in our wilderness, is over. The time to act is now."

"I think there was a belief that the Republican Party has been slow to act on environmental issues, and Senator McCain is saying that he is going to change that perception," Reichert continued. He's got a different view, and he's already taken action. I see the Senator and myself as similar in our approach to solving some of the climate change issues that people have been talking about for a number of years. He's for a cap-and-trade bill, he's for people coming together, trying to make positive changes in improving our environment."

"I think the Pacific Northwest is still seen around the world as a very pristine area of the country and the Evergreen state is a great place to come and tout his environmental platform.  It is a place where people recognize and are fully aware of our need to keep our state as green and as clean and green as possible. And hopefully the rest of the country will hear that too.  We have an opportunity in the Northwest to be leaders in combating climate change with an already clean hydro-power system.  We must continue to work to find solutions and I am pleased Senator McCain has come forward on this issue."

John McCain has issued a proposal to reduce carbon emissions through a cap and trade system.  He held a roundtable in North Bend, WA with local leaders to discuss the environment.

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