I think it is fair to say that the commercial space industry indeed has come a long way.

I want to discuss what a conviction for marijuana possession, no matter how small, means for most individuals across the Country.

I think this sampling of the range of questions for our witnesses today tells us that we have so much more to learn.

Isn't it true that convictions for even minor, non-violent drug possession have a significant negative effect on an individual, their families, community, and the Nation?

Let's not rush a bill, Mr. Chairman, when there are too many critical questions and issues that need our careful consideration.

I don't think we should wait until there is an accident to put sensible safety regulations in place.

I want to see it succeed.

It's my understanding we do have authority on petroleum-based above the ground storage but for some of the other contaminants and chemicals, we do not at the current time.

The Federal role is clear.

my hope is that we may learn from this experience and find policy solutions to ensure that an incident like this never happens again in West Virginia or in any other state.

I particularly want to underscore the point that Congressman Rahall made about our colleague, Senator Rockefeller. He has been a real treasure for us in the U.S. Senate.

In West Virginia, it was not a petroleum-based product that caused the problem; it was a cleaning product?

What do we do about that?

Our first priority is to do what we can to prevent these types of episodes from happening again in our country.

The system did not work on January 9th in West Virginia. The system failed.

We need to minimize the risks and clearly do it in a way that is cost effective and really works.

Thank you. I appreciate the cooperation we have in this committee. We try to do everything we can in a non-partisan manner because it involves the public health of the people of this Nation.

This is an issue of federalism.