Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, my amendment would prohibit any new leases under this plan that do not provide a fair return for taxpayers. For far too long, our oil and gas leasing program has offered a sweetheart deal for the industry at the expense of taxpayers. One fossil fuel company recently even went so far as to outline in a press release the many benefits of extraction on public land compared to private land. Their release highlighted that leases on public lands are cheaper, they last longer, and they are more expansive. While these statements may be music to the ears of those who care most about Big Oil special interests, they represent a raw deal for the American people. Increasing the royalty rate to a fair level will generate billions of dollars in revenue for taxpayers. The Government Accountability Office and Congressional Budget Office both agree and have suggested that this is good policy. That is why last Congress I introduced the Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act, to protect taxpayers by eliminating noncompetitive oil and gas leasing and raising the onshore oil and gas royalty rate, rental fee, and minimum bid amount. I am proud that the Inflation Reduction Act includes significant provisions of that bill, including eliminating noncompetitive leasing for oil and gas sales, raising annual rental rates, and increasing the minimum bid for public lands.…”