April 21, 2009 View all news Yahoo NewsWashington- Congress will pass legislation to stem global warming by year's end, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed Tuesday, as hearings got underway on a bill to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions."We will pass legislation this year," Pelosi told reporters."On Earth Day next year, we will celebrate the progress we've made," the House leader declared.Her remarks came as Congress began examining a draft bill for clean energy development that aims to cut US carbon emissions by 20 percent from their 2005 levels by 2020, and boost reliance on renewable sources of energy.The House Energy and Commerce Committee, led by Democratic chairman Henry Waxman, began four days of hearings on the bill Tuesday.On Wednesday, lawmakers will hear testimony from EPA chief Lisa Jackson, Energy Secretary Stephen Chu and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Former vice president Al Gore, a major climate change campaigner, is set to testify Friday.Read More