Raúl Grijalva

In my opinion, it is long overdue.

I hope with that we have entered a new era with respect to understanding NEPA's value to our communities, our environment, and our economy.

I hope that the misguided task forces and investigation we have seen before, aimed at proving that NEPA and other laws somehow stifle our economy and limit our freedoms, are a thing of the past.

I hope this hearing is not intended to undermine and mischaracterize the National Environmental Policy Act, which remains one of our Nation's bedrock environmental laws.

I have no other speakers. Let me thank my colleague, Mr. Gallego, for his support and his eloquent statements. And to Mr. Ryan, thank you again for expediting and having this vote today. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Madam Ranking Member.

Absolutely not. Any person who would make such a claim is either ignorant of the state of climate science or fails to understand its implications.

All of us who care about political freedom--and I believe that is all Americans--should do everything we can to support our climate scientists, and to act to prevent the threats they have so clearly documented.

Imagine a gigantic banquet. Hundreds of millions of people come to eat. They eat and drink to their hearts' content . . . Then, one day, a man arrives . . . holding the bill.

I have great confidence in her leadership, and as she knows I very much look forward to working with her.

I would like to begin with a quote from a book written by one of our witnesses today.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to congratulate you on your chairmanship of this new subcommittee.

I know we will not agree often, but I think we can agree that congressional oversight is important.

There is no doubt in my mind we can transition to a clean energy economy and come out the other side stronger as a Nation.

I want those good paying jobs to be created here, where they can form rungs on ladders out of poverty in a nation where the ranks of the poor are growing.

So it shouldn't be a requirement on the part of the agency.

Honestly, when oil gets into the marsh, there are no effective cleanup mechanisms you can use.

What does that mean for future cleanup, and what does that mean for future restoration efforts?

We know these chemicals made the oil less visible, but it didn't make it go away, it didn't make it disappear.

Should it be independent or not, if I may, because I am running out of time, and I need to interrupt you.

I was just pointing to uniformity and predictability. That is why I asked the question.

It is my understanding that maybe 55 percent of those operating companies covering 55 percent of the Gulf leases are members, which is part of the point of discussion today.

Thank you very much. And if I may, Mr. Williams, what percentage of the industry belongs to your organization?

The issue of civil and criminal penalties increasing the issue of raising the liability limits, and the consequential fines of violations of regulation all being something that he felt was very important in the comprehensive look at safety…

Unfortunately, the title of this hearing and the testimony of some of today's witnesses feel like a big pat-on-the-back session rather than real oversight.