Political Quotes

“In listening to the previous debate, I would certainly agree we have made great strides in America in accessing oil and gas, so much so that we have now become almost energy independent, all for the good. All of that has happened in the last 7 to 8 years, and we are thankful for that. However, this appropriation has more money than needed. The administration has asked for about $32 million less. I would like my colleagues to take a look at where we really do need to spend some money. This amendment that I am proposing deals with this. This is California's water situation today. The great Central Valley of California is rapidly depleting its aquifers. The water resources that agriculture and communities depend upon are rapidly depleting. This amendment would move about $11,611,000 to the USGS, to Geological Survey, for the purposes of studying the aquifers of California. Now, keep in mind that the State of California voters approved a $7 billion bond act of which a good portion of that money is for underground aquifer storage. We have to have the science; we have to have the engineering to go with it, and this amendment would provide the additional money that the USGS needs in order to do the surveys and the engineering and understanding the geology of those areas where we might be able to have the aquifers replenished. That is what it is all about.…”