Political Quotes

“Mr. President, over a year ago the Senate passed S. 235, the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act. That bill was approved by a vote of 98-0 on February 8, 2001, and is designed to promote both public and environmental safety by reauthorizing and strengthening our Federal pipeline safety programs which expired in September 2000. While the Senate has now passed pipeline safety legislation in both the 106th and the 107th Congresses, the other body has yet to take meaningful action to address pipeline safety. Despite efforts to encourage the other body to approve pipeline safety legislation and help prevent not only needless deaths and injuries but also environmental and economic disasters, there has been little movement by the House on this important issue. Therefore, the Senate must take whatever action we can to advance pipeline safety legislation. Today I offer the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act as an amendment to the pending energy bill. I believe it is appropriate to consider this issue in the context of energy legislation. I believe it is appropriate to consider this issue in the context of the post-September 11 environment. I think it is appropriate to consider this issue in the context that it is an issue which really needs to be addressed.”