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Environmental record
"Democrats are committed to the next generation of affordable and renewable energy for the 21st century and to conservation measures that will immediately reduce our dependence on foreign oil." They know that many Americans are living with unhealthy air and water quality, and they state that they will "fight to strengthen the laws that ensure" a healthy environment for their citizens. The "Bush Administration and its Republican allies allowed our nation’s energy policy to be guided by its special interest cronies" resulting in a greater dependence for foreign oil. "Democrats understand that with only three percent of the world's oil reserves in the U.S., we [as a country] will always rely on unstable regions of the world if we do not reduce our dependence on oil." As a result, the Democratic Congress has started building toward energy independence. The Democratic Party also believes that it is the citizens job and responsibility to protect America's natural resources. They plan on making loan guarantees for fuel-efficient vehicle manufacturers, and requiring vehicles to get 35 miles on the gallon by 2020.

Energy independence is something that both parties have had lingering on their tongues, but the Democrats, only after the Republicans failed to lead the issue, have started offering bold ideas that would help reduce our oil consumption. The legislation is debating whether to "increase the fuel economy of cars and trucks" which would boost the use of non-petroleum fuels like ethanol.