Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, made the following remarks regarding draft energy and climate change legislation released today by Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Edward J. Markey, Chairman of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee.

Senator Boxer said: "I am very encouraged about this. It is a giant leap forward and I am very excited about it. I like the fact that they are looking at additional help for the hardest hit regions. That is a positive step."

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