Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, my first amendment will strike title V of division B of this bill. Throughout this debate, I have heard my friends across the aisle argue that the bill before us today is a reasonable attempt to reform our permitting system. Unfortunately, this bill closely resembles a wish list for Big Oil and their lobbyists. This amendment would strike one of the most egregious portions of the bill that would undo many of the reforms we made last Congress to ensure that the American people see a better return on our public lands and waters. We should all be able to agree that the American people deserve a fair deal when it comes to the use of our cherished public lands. For far too long, our oil and gas leasing program has offered a sweetheart deal for the fossil fuel industry at the expense of taxpayers. One fossil fuel company 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, last longer, and are more expansive. While these statements may be music to the ears of those who care most about Big Oil interests, they represent a raw and an unfair deal for the American people. Increasing the royalty rate to a fair level--that is all we are asking, 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 it is good policy.…”