I do think that we have made clear the policy on freedom of navigation.
I think our allies are all very motivated to see American leadership here.
I think they welcome our freedom-of-navigation operations.
I think, when we do that, you have better policy, you have better support, ultimately, from the American people.
The CT mission is clearly a combat operation.
I think it is an opportunity, a rare one, to be honest, where you have the legislative branch supporting the executive b...
SMCRA provides States--I just read it. 101(f), the primary government responsibility on developing, authorizing, issuing...
Do you think that was fair?
You can't pass a law, so you break a law with a regulation. The States that are impacted are almost 100 percent against ...
So there is no demonizing here. The problem is when a Federal agency doesn't follow the law, it is our responsibility to...
Did you go to Alaska in terms of public hearings for this rule?
Three thousand pages, 5 years in the making, 60 days to comment? Do you think that is fair?
We politely told you to go pound sand, that you didn't have that authority.
You are making a rule that goes into essentially the ability to nullify.
So it is not partisan. The concern is federalism and the law. It is not the environment. We all want a clean environment...
I know there is no chance in--can I say hell in this committee--no chance in hell of that happening.
This is one of the best panels I have been able to be Chair of.
If we had done what I said 15 years ago that we should have, we would not be here today.
