Political Quotes

“I have spent a great deal of my time, both here in this Chamber and actually working in the State legislature as well, to protect people's property rights, particularly private property rights. In the State legislature, I remember the decision coming down from the Supreme Court, making sure that we could do everything we could to prevent any abuse of eminent domain. But it is that State legislative experience that taught me that the legal process of eminent domain is largely a State and local issue which should have no bearing on the Department of Energy's public interest determination--again, this is about the public interest determination--for the export of LNG to non-free trade countries. By law, the Secretary of Energy plays no part in approving the construction of LNG export facilities or the pipelines connecting the gas to the facility. By law, the Secretary of Energy plays no part in the pipeline or construction of the facilities. This bill only addresses the Department of Energy's process, and this amendment would expand the role of DOE into an area where the DOE is not currently involved and has no expertise. The purpose of H.R. 6 is to expedite liquefied natural gas export applications which have been stuck in limbo awaiting a decision for far too long--in some cases, for more than 2 years.…”