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Mr. Speaker, this “do nothing” Republican-Tea Party Congress is killing jobs with its endless political games. This week’s gimmick vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act is a meaningless vote to deny millions of American’s healthcare. Meanwhile, this House’s failure to pass an extension of the Wind Energy Tax Credit to producers of all-American energy is killing jobs. Roughly 37,000 American jobs in the wind energy sector are at risk.

Thank you Mayor – it is always good to be in North St. Paul.

Keith and I are here today, with the White House and Minnesota business leaders, to talk about the clean energy revolution in our state – and how to keep it going. The wind turbine just behind us is generating clean, secure, renewable energy for the families and businesses in North St. Paul. The people of this community are sending a message to everyone who drives by that they support wind energy and want to see more of it.

Wind energy is popular here and across Minnesota because:

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Chairman Drier, Ranking Member Slaughter, Members of the Rules Committee, I must say I am surprised to be here today responding to this effort by the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee to perpetuate wasteful and ineffective government spending on Department of Defense sports sponsorships.

This year the Pentagon will spend in excess of $80 million on NASCAR racing sponsorships, professional bass fishing tournaments, ultimate cage fighting, and a myriad of other sports sponsorships.