On the recordOctober 19, 2017
I urge my colleagues to soundly reject this amendment. Those who support this amendment will deny us the opportunity to do something constructive in this country when it comes to our opportunities to produce energy, to produce wealth. We need to be expanding our energy development in our Federal areas. This helps us reduce our deficit, build new wealth in this country, strengthen our national security and our competitiveness. We can and we must do more as a nation to responsibly develop our resources, our energy resources providing economic security, energy security, and national security. The Energy Committee is prepared to meet this instruction to raise a billion dollars over the next decade. I urge Senators to reject this amendment, which would deprive us of a substantial opportunity to benefit our country at the same time that we care for our environment. Thank you. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the amendment.
