There is actually a proposal now, I think by Senator Lee on the Senate side, to reduce the Federal gas tax and Federal spending.

I want to retain the worker that I have who has already done that work.

I think the Federal Government has been incredibly slow, and the consequences of that has been really threefold.

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from North Dakota is recognized.

today I filed an updated bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline project. That bill is at the desk. What this legislation does is it approves the project congressionally, which is authorized under the Constitution of the United States…

I thank the Chair. (The remarks of Mr. Hoeven pertaining to the introduction of S. 2280 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

I appreciate the opportunity to testify today before members of the Subcommittee.

I have seen that culture change in North Dakota.

It is not easy work, regional economic development. It means collaboration.

We have an underutilized resource in America. It is called 'rural America.'

We certainly understood that the role of those small towns is to support the dominant industry, which is agriculture.

Through this new approach, the Committee hopes rural communities target investment to boost economic development by harnessing their strengths.

Regional strategies may sound vague, but the main point is that they target resources to where they have the most impact locally.

I feel like we may be creating, if we do not watch it, a system that we hope will reward people for doing things regionally.

I look forward to seeing him very soon across the table in the Ag Committee.

If you could guarantee that everyone would be as fit as you if they ate Tanka Bars----

I share Mr. Tilsen's concern about housing all across Indian country.

I thank the Senator from Missouri and turn to our ranking member on the Energy Committee, the Senator from Alaska, who deals with energy issues every day. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska.