Steven Holt: “Groups representing a diverse group of businesses and manufacturers support this amendment--groups that believe we…”

“Groups representing a diverse group of businesses and manufacturers support this amendment--groups that believe we should proceed with caution when making decisions about vast quantities of domestic energy resources. The Department of Energy has already approved LNG facilities that are capable of exporting 9.3 billion cubic feet per day, and before we irresponsibly and hurriedly expedite the approval of up to 36 billion cubic feet--nearly four times as much of LNG exports per day--I believe we should consider the effect this will have across our economy. Mr. Gardner says this amendment of ours might slow exports. Well, it might because the idea is not to do it as quickly as we can, but to do it as wisely as we can. Our responsibility is not just to look after the oil and gas interests. Our responsibility is also to look after American workers, American manufacturers, American consumers, and homeowners. No one in this Chamber should want our domestic natural gas prices to increase on a par with those in Europe or Asia, and a vote in support of the Holt-Quigley amendment will ensure that that is not the case. I urge support for this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”