Political Quotes

“Thank you, Mr. President. I have also come to the floor today to speak about the proposal to raise taxes on the five largest domestic energy producers. I think it is important we remember we are speaking about five energy producers, five oil companies. We are not talking about a tax proposal that is broad and wide and encompassing. We are talking about a proposal to raise taxes on the five largest domestic energy producers. I have to admit, I had some hesitation about even engaging in this floor debate at all because I think we recognize that the words and the statements we are delivering here are just that; they are just talk, they are just words. This proposal is designed to fail. But in failing, it is designed to score some political points, and it seems as if that is where we are today. But as a Senator who represents a State--Alaska; an oil and gas producing State, a State that would clearly be hurt by this proposal--I am obliged, obligated to outline why I feel this is so deeply flawed. I want to start by stating the obvious here. This legislation will not reduce energy prices, but, if anything, it will increase our energy prices. It will not substantially reduce our deficit or our debt, but, if anything, it will add to those burdens by shutting off production and forcing the government to forgo production revenues.…”