August 9, 2007
Speaker Pelosi Underscores Importance of State-Federal Cooperation
 BOSTON - Speaker of the U.S. House Nancy Pelosi underscored the importance of state and federal governments working together to keep America strong today at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ 2007 Legislative Summit.
“Our responsibility is to build a future worthy of the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, worthy of the vision of our founding fathers and worthy of the aspirations of our children,” she said. “We have important work to do and much of it cannot be done unless we work together.”
Pelosi said Congressional priorities include: protecting the American people, strengthening families, preserving the planet and strengthening the economy. She outlined how those goals are being accomplished.
House Resolution 1, which was recently signed by President Bush, enacted the 911 Commission’s recommendations. Pelosi said it focuses federal funding on the areas of the nation at greatest risk. It helps prevent terrorists from obtaining weapons of mass destruction. It also requires that all shipping containers be sealed abroad, before reaching American shores and that all luggage be screened before passenger air flights, among other provisions.
“For our states and nation to be strong, we must strengthen our families,” Pelosi said, and spoke about the State Children’s Health Insurance Plan (S-CHIP). The U.S. House has passed a version that would bring the program to an additional 5 million kids, nearly doubling the current enrollment to 11 million. The Senate version is not as broad.
The Speaker also discussed the No Child Left Behind Act reauthorization, which is due later this year. She had encouraging words for states.
“I believe you will be pleased with the legislation that is gathering bipartisan support,” Pelosi said. “The bill will be fair and flexible, responding to legitimate concerns raised by you and others, while fulfilling our promise to improve student performance, increase school accountability, and provide students with the resources they need to learn the skills crucial to their future success.
“So different will this bill be that we are thinking about changing its name.”
On the strengthening the economy front, Pelosi pointed to the COMPETES Act, which focuses on math, science and engineering in America’s schools as a way to ensure the nation’s global competitiveness.
Pelosi said energy independence is also crucial to the strength of this nation. And last weekend, Congress passed what she called the “New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act.”
“It will strengthen our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil; lower energy costs for consumers by $300 billion dollars with greater efficiency, cleaner energy, and smarter technology; create new and good-paying green collar American jobs, and reduce global warming,” Pelosi said.
All these bills, she added, will be paid for under “pay-as-you-go” budget policies.
NCSL President-elect and Delaware Representative Donna Stone said state legislators are grateful that Speaker Pelosi could come to NCSL’s meeting.
“I thought her remarks were absolutely wonderful,” Stone said. “It was obvious that she understands the necessary partnership between state and federal policymakers. And she understands the tension we sometimes feel when former state legislators go to Washington and forget where they came from.”
Watch a video with comments from other state lawmakers.
The National Conference of State Legislatures is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
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