People like JD Vance know nothing about small- town America.

I am extremely offended at your comments here today in your written statements.

The jobs and opportunities that mining present in northeastern Minnesota are second to none.

We need to keep the tariffs on, and I know you support that.

Our steelmaking, our mines, are who we are and our way of life.

I will not take a back seat when we talk about steel and we talk about mining.

We are thrilled with the substance of this legislation, but emphasize the need for proper funding.

Hearing held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

The current 5-year plan from BOEM offers only three offshore oil and gas lease sales.

I want to thank you all for being here today to discuss these important pieces of legislation.

Taking politics out of the assessment process, giving BOEM guardrails and direction is imperative for the future of our nation and energy production.

Unfortunately, the Department of the Interior has fumbled management of the state program.

The American people deserve an honest oil and gas assessment process.

The bills we have before us today would continue building on our commitment to an all-of-the-above energy approach, while also reining in executive action that defies logic as well as law.

The practical implications of these requirements are devastating.

We have an open process, Erin, and thanks for having me. And you can feel that energy, you saw it in that room, and that's exactly what the vice president said when she called me. She said, look, I'm going to earn this.

I will do everything possible just like I did for President Biden.

I am calling on every single one of my colleagues tonight to initiate something similar in their districts, so we can get to know each other, find our common ground, and actually inject some optimism into a country that needs it.