Political Quotes

“For the edification of my friend from Connecticut, there have been 50 bills introduced on this topic. There have been over 60 hearings. We have had 5 markups of committee jurisdiction, in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Legislation authorizing the opening of ANWR has passed the House twice. A conference report authorizing the opening of ANWR passed the Senate in 1995. It was vetoed by President Clinton. If you review the history, I think it is a little misleading to imply that suddenly we are rushing into this matter without a good deal of debate and thought. It is the same exact argument that was used in the 1970s, prior to the authorization of opening up Prudhoe Bay and building the pipeline. It was fostered by America's extreme environmental community which is again fostering the debate. There has been no sound science to suggest that opening Prudhoe Bay has resulted in an economic disaster or resulted in the decimation of the caribou herd, the central Arctic herd. These are alarmist tactics we have heard time and time again and it is evident Members are soliciting the support based on America's environmental community. Years ago, we had a full EIS on the opening. Still, at a time when we are looking at calamities in the Mideast--the situation in Israel, the danger associated with our national security--I find it extraordinary that Members would look for excuses rather than sound science in addressing the merits of this legislation.”