On the recordJune 20, 2014
It is a big burden of responsibility being the designee of the majority leader because there are issues on which this Congress can lead. I am not talking about issues about which this Congress can fight. I am talking about issues on which this Congress can lead, things that we can do together in order to make a difference in the lives of folks back home, and for me, one of those is energy security. I travel from one corner of the State of Georgia to another. I go through liberal districts and conservative districts. I ask: Who is it that wants to keep sending money to people who hate us and want to kill us? There aren't many hands that go up in the room. I ask: Who is it who wants to see economic prosperity traded away because energy prices are crushing job creation? Absolutely no hands go up. I am perfectly willing, as soon as we get to energy security, Mr. Speaker, as soon as we get to a place where we are energy secure in this country, I am willing to talk about what the mix of that energy is. All folks want to. I am trying to do my part. I drive an electric car. I have been persuaded in those ways, and those Federal tax credits don't hurt, either, but we need job creation. We are energy rich in this country, and we need to be able to use that energy in order to make a difference in people's lives. That brings us, Mr. Speaker, to the Keystone pipeline--the Keystone XL pipeline. I am sure it is the same in your district, Mr. Speaker, as it is in mine.…
