ADVAN( H> I Nl KC-i I I ( 1 1,\( )[ ( K.IIS 



929 



automotive propulsion research and development program. The amendment is basi- 

 cally technical, and as far as I can discern, there is no controversy. 



When necessary, Brown had a low key fashion of presenting 

 earth-shaking legislation in a reassuring fashion, with the best bedside 

 manner. He calmed any possible fears by noting that "the only surprise 

 is that this sensible approach has taken so long to become a reality." 

 He soothingly removed the objections of those who had previously 

 worried about the negative attitudes of the agencies involved, by 

 calling attention to the laborious process of getting the Department 

 of Transportation and DOE together on the legislation. (In fact, the 

 administration never became convinced to favor the legislation.) But 

 McCormack went so far as to suggest there had been a "reconciliation" 

 between DOT and DOE. It was all over in a few short minutes, with 

 no negative voices raised, as the Brown amendment was quickly 

 adopted. 



PRESIDENT CARTER SIGNS THE BILL IN 1978 



There was a little nail chewing because President Carter had 

 vetoed the DOE authorization bill on account of the CRBR. Then it 

 looked like the automotive R. & D. initiative might go down the tube 

 also. But the section was preserved along with the non-CRBR sections 

 of the DOE authorization bill, and finally signed by President Carter 

 on February 25, 1978. Then the administration did not move to fund 

 the bill. 



Among the legislative measures on which the McCormack sub- 

 committee held hearings, but were not passed by the 94th Congress, 

 were the Industrial Energy Conservation Act of 1975, and the Energy 

 Conservation in Buildings Act in 1976. During hearings on these two 

 bills, the subcommittee received testimony on methods to promote 

 energy conservation technologies, and the development and utilization 

 of conservation by the Federal Government. Working in conjunction 

 with the Public Buildings Subcommittee of the House Public Works 

 Committee, the McCormack subcommittee examined a program to 

 promote energy conservation in residential, commercial, and industrial 

 buildings. This committee-sponsored legislation was then incorporated 

 intact into the National Energy Act of 1978. 



MCCORMACK SUBCOMMITTEE IN 1977 



When the McCormack subcommittee was organized in 1977, its 

 title was lengthened to become the "Subcommittee on Advanced 



