It is time for Congress to enforce this policy and promise by making the necessary management changes in Alaska.

I think it is fair to say that, with respect to the O&C Lands Act of 2013, we Oregonians feel these lands are truly unique both in their legal status and their history.

I have insisted that that Roadless Rule needs to be repealed, but short of that, we need to have some flexibility here.

I think it's a mistake for Congress to basically seed its authority to determine what's in the public interest to folks in the administration and agencies that are not elected.

I have always been a strong advocate of multiple use. But sometimes, I feel that, particularly when it comes to the Tongass, it's every other use except timber harvest.

It's critical that we get the timber harvest up on our national forests.

It's important that we make sure that we've got the full quotes in context there.

I don't view energy security to be a situation where we kind of close in on ourselves but rather that we are--we open up to a greater extent.

A secure global market is what's going to bring American consumers the lowest price and the most consistent stability in fuel prices.

We're looking for some solutions.

vast amounts of water are used every day to produce vital fuels and to cool powerplants in the United States. Without this water supply, most of our electricity would stop flowing and our economy and other essential functions would come to…

I too have been thinking about how we define energy independence.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate your considered remarks and the opportunity to bring up this issue before the committee.

We haven't seen a new refinery since in 25 years?

We can either be very insular as a Nation and try to do it all ourselves or we can do as Senator Wyden has suggested.

I have called for an expansion of these tribal self-governance agreements within our Federal agencies.

Indian self-determination has been in my mind the most successful Federal Indian policy, given the difficult history that our Nation's indigenous people have had with the policies here in the United States.

I was extremely, extremely disappointed in Secretary of the Interior's decision as it related to King Cove.

When our tribes can manage their own programs, I think they are better equipped to address the disparities that exist within our Native populations.

I think we have done a remarkable job. And it is these partnerships that have worked very effectively to the benefit of Alaska's native peoples when it comes to the health care.

I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of the bill. In Alaska, we continue to experience the failed management of our lands from thousands of miles away by Federal agencies here in D.C.

I would hope that our office would be working with us as we work to expand that.

I would ask you to take a look at that as an issue as well as the rural determination process.

I think you have the problem solved here in terms of how this Administration can do more when it comes to encouraging tribal self-governance.

If tribes know that they can count on this, if they know that they are going to be reimbursed fully, if the uncertainty that they have seen is eliminated, I am not so convinced that you need to go on the road with a staff to try to sell it.