Thank you, Madam President. I appreciate the courtesy of my colleague from Illinois, and I also will follow on Senator Boxer's comments on the importance of this highway transportation bill. I think we recognize that, while far from being…

I rise today to introduce legislation that would officially rename the Talkeetna Ranger Station in Talkeetna, Alaska, the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station. The Talkeetna Ranger Station, which is the home of Denali National Park's…

I'm going to ask you a more specific question, if I may.

The Chair is saying that the amendment slots have been filled by the majority leader, is that right? The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.

I follow my friend and colleague from North Dakota who has been a real leader in these Chambers trying to educate not only those in these Chambers but people across the country as to the value and importance of the Keystone XL Pipeline and…

including, Senator Murkowski, in Alaska with respect to TAPS which we need to get on

They expect us to do something here. They want to know what it is that can be done.

I have another issue I wish to bring up today in the remainder of my time. I have two other amendments I would like the body to consider. I understand what the Chair has just said. One of the things that I think we recognize is much of our…

We recognize that there are a lot of different factors that are driving up the fuel costs.

I am disappointed we won't have an opportunity to offer the amendments. Several of my colleagues will be coming down to offer their amendments. We have been told that the tree has been filled. The amendment I am proposing--I actually have…

Thank you. I appreciate the fact that you have come all the way to be part of the testimony this morning. Very credible panel. You have certainly enhanced that credibility. We appreciate that.

I think realistically we know that there are no quick and easy answers to the fact that we are seeing significantly high prices at the pump.

What about the rest?

I ask unanimous consent to speak for no more than 5 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I wish to thank my colleagues who have come down to the floor this afternoon for their efforts to offer what I believe are very substantive, very meaningful amendments to the legislation that is before us. I think we can condense the…

we continue the discussion about the impact of high energy prices, high gasoline prices at the pump, what they mean to families from Alaska to New York--the very reality we face as a nation that is struggling still, coming out of a…

But you extend the life of conventional fuels. They're cleaner. They're safer. But they go on longer.

U.S. oil production is up 20 percent since 2008, over 1.1 million barrels a day.

Our oil imports have declined from 60 percent in 2005 to the latest number I've seen in your numbers, Howard, 44 percent.

So in other words in a country like the United Kingdom you were stacked up against other Nations like Angola and saying you are a bad investment opportunity?

We need to build confidence about new supplies both North America and internationally.

I thank my colleague for the plug there on our energy bill.

I want to explore a little bit more on this issue on where we are with spare capacity.

Is there anyone other than the Saudis that have that ability to provide for additional capacity?

I think your focus on spare capacity really goes to the heart of the matter.