Political Quotes

“There is an expression from a dozen or so House Members saying this is an opportunity. You might not get it again. We have identified significant funding to rejuvenate the steel industry, take care of the retirees, and put it back on its feet. As we address the amendment, I want to make sure everybody understands what is in it. There have been generalizations from the other side that this is simply a second-degree amendment which takes any funds that would open up ANWR and provides for the rejuvenation of the steel industry, while the first degree would be an up-down vote on opening ANWR. First of all, this amendment does not open ANWR. ANWR would only be opened if our President certifies to Congress that the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas resources in the ANWR Coastal Plain are in the national economic and security interests of the United States. It is pretty simple. The President of the United States has to certify that the ANWR Coastal Plain should be open. Then the Secretary of the Interior will implement a leasing program. Then the following will apply. I don't want to hear any more that this is an up-down vote to open ANWR. It is to give our President extraordinary authority, almost a declaration of war. Don't we trust him and his Cabinet to make a determination that this is in the national security interests of this Nation? I certainly trust our President to make that finding.”