Congressman-Elect Eric Massa to arrive at January 6th Swearing-in in GM Fuel Cell Vehicle

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CORNING, NY - Earlier today, Congressman-elect Eric Massa announced that he will arrive at the Capitol Building for his swearing-in on January 6th in a GM Fuel Cell Powered vehicle.

Congressman-elect Massa decided to take a Fuel Cell vehicle from the 29th Congressional District all the way to Washington to highlight the values that he will fight for in his first term.

On December 16th, Massa visited GM's Fuel Cell Development Center in Honeoye Falls, N.Y. where top engineers are literally building and driving cars powered by hydrogen. These vehicles produce no pollution, but do create pure water. Congressman-elect Massa has pledged to help expand this program and get these vehicles out of the laboratory and into the garage of American families.

Earlier this month, after Senators such as Bob Corker (R-TN) and Richard Shelby (R-AL) killed the bridge loan program for our auto manufacturers, Chrysler was forced to announce that it would have to shut down and effectively lay off all of its manufacturing workers for a month - right in the middle of the holiday season. Something is very wrong when hardworking Americans have to miss a paycheck during the Christmas season because a couple of D.C. insiders have forgotten who they serve.

Congressman-elect Massa knows that we need to protect these jobs and strengthen America's middle-class families, but we must do it intelligently. This is why Massa does not support a bailout - rather he supports bridge loans which will be paid back to the American taxpayer with interest. However these loans must come with strings attached.

Rather than only investing in oil based technology, we must work to expand programs like Fuel Cell research and development. Additionally, we must provide economic incentives for auto manufactures to keep good jobs right here in Western New York and the United States. Conversely, we must cutoff subsidies to companies that outsource their jobs to foreign countries.

Finally, as a retired 24 year Navy Commander, Congressman-elect Massa knows that our dependence on foreign oil is a major national security threat. In 1973, America felt the pain at the pumps when OPEC nations stopped exporting oil to the United States. This past summer, Americans were asked to cough up over $4.00 per gallon for gas. Neither of these instances were minor inconveniences. They were financial catastrophes.

In the United States Congress, Eric Massa will fight to end our national addiction to foreign oil once and for all. This will not be an overnight fix, but rather a long-term, strategic plan which must be carried out.

Congressman-elect Massa's decision to take a fuel cell powered car to Washington to take the oath of office symbolizes all that he has and will fight for. Better manufacturing jobs, supporting American industry, fighting global climate change, and protecting America.

"I'm going to Washington to fight for America's future," said Congressman-elect Eric Massa. "I support President-elect Obama's vision to rebuild America and create millions of new jobs - I also support offering bridge loans to American auto manufacturers that will protect our jobs while making sustainable energy technology a priority. We are about to begin a new chapter of American history and I look forward to representing the families of Western New York in the United States Congress."

In the coming days, more details about this trip will be made available.