WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/13/2009) - United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi likes the idea of the United States government purchasing nearly 18,000 fuel efficient vehicles from only American car makers. Pelosi believes it will help auto makers currently in financial touble, spur the economy, and make the government fleet more fuel efficient. The Speaker also is supportive of President Obama's plan to make healthcare better for the military and veterans.

Pelosi has the following comments following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s announcement that the federal government will use money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to buy about 17,600 new, fuel efficient vehicles produced by American automobile companies:

"President Obama’s decision will provide a much-needed lift to our domestic auto industry and its workers, help save the planet by reducing carbon emissions, and help save taxpayers money by reducing the government’s fuel costs," Pelosi said.

"By purchasing new, fuel efficient vehicles—such as those that run on natural gas or electricity—the Administration will also help drive demand for cars that are easier on our environment and cheaper to refuel," Pelosi continued.

"While our domestic auto industry remains in serious trouble, President Obama’s action again shows our commitment to these American companies and their workers," House Speaker Pelosi pointed out.

"The President and Congress will continue to support the American auto industry and our auto workers in these difficult times," Pelosi said.

In another matter, the Obama Administration is asking Congress for supplemental funding for Afghanistan and Iraq. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made some comments regarding the request:

"The first priority of Congress and the President is to protect the American people and to provide our men and women in harm's way with all the resources they need," Pelosi said.

"The President has presented a clear plan to end the war in Iraq and to defeat al Qaeda in Afghanistan," the person sometimes referred to as the most power woman in the United States Congress said.

"In the coming weeks, Congress will carefully review the President’s request and will engage in a dialogue with the Administration on appropriate benchmarks to measure the success of our investments," Pelosi said.

Pelosi also is supportive of President Obama's assertive suggestion that military health care is important both during the time trrop members are serving and after their active duty is over.

"President Obama and Congress are committed to providing our nation’s service members and veterans with the timely, quality health care that they were promised and that they have earned," Pelosi said.

"The creation of a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic record builds on this commitment by providing our brave men and women with a single, accurate, and paperless medical record from the day they enlist through their retirement years," Speaker Pelosi said.

"Accurate electronic medical records are essential to reducing costs, helping eliminate medical errors, and providing seamless quality care, which is why investments in health IT are a top priority for the Obama Administration and for Congress," Pelosi explained.

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be working with the President, Defense Secretary Gates, and Veterans' Secretary Shinseki to implement the health IT initiative for service members and veterans.

“On the battlefield, the military pledges to never leave a soldier behind. In the New Direction Congress, we pledge to never leave a veteran behind," Speaker Pelosi assured members of the military, veterans and their families.