"A food safety bill recently passed by the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the House of Representatives, H.R. 2749, the 'Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009,' addresses all of the above authorities..."
"America cannot allow its economy to be left behind. America must be a leader."
"Passing legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives would send an important message that America is ready to lead."
"This issue is too important for agriculture and forestry to sit on the sidelines."
"The rules required that the amendment be read. The clerk will read the bill."
"It will be an expensive bill, but what is more expensive is not to do the reform because our health care system costs are out of control and the only way to control costs is to reform the system."
"During his tenure as chairman of the committee, Mr. Barton provided the minority with one-third of the committee resources."
"As we begin the 111th Congress the Energy and Commerce Committee faces a tremendous work load."
"Three of the top priorities of the new Obama administration and the American public are in the jurisdiction of our committee: health care reform; climate change legislation; and energy independence."
"We are asking for no increase in the equipment budget for 2009."
"I think we would be unable to do the things that we need to do with all these major issues simultaneously being considered by our committee."
"I cannot imagine that we are going to meet our energy needs in this country without nuclear energy."