Bobby Rush

Though, I appreciate the Commission's consideration of this specific concern, this does not match the sweeping reform FERC must implement to fix a bygone process.

In 1938, the United States Congress enacted the Natural Gas Act to regulate the interstate transport of natural gas.

Last week, Chairmen Rush, Tonko, and I released the CLEAN Future Act, our bold climate plan to achieve a 100 percent clean economy.

For an independent regulatory agency to help a private party seize state lands to build a pipeline is as wrong as it is bizarre.

The fact is FERC's process for siting and constructing interstate pipelines is not working--especially for landowners.

FERC must take a more holistic view of the pipeline infrastructure already serving particular regions in order to determine whether new infrastructure is truly needed.

Good morning, today the Committee convenes for a joint subcommittee hearing to conduct oversight of an issue ravaging communities and plaguing the environment.

I want to thank our witnesses for their participation in today's hearing, and I look forward to identifying concrete solutions to these daunting problems.

Last year, California experienced historically catastrophic fires resulting in a tragic loss of life and unimaginable destruction to homes and property.

According to the Fourth National Climate Assessment, the annual area burned in our nation's western states alone could increase two to six times the current areas by the middle of this century.

Fires often occur within the U.S. An average of 73,000 wildfires burn seven million acres of U.S. land each and every year.

Certainly, Congressman Davis. I just wanted to add my voice to the Richard Barnett story that the Nation must know about.

Another area that I am really concerned about, along with this mania that exists is this empty excuse of--or this expungement of records.

I call a mob marijuana mentality and who are engaged in what I would refer to as a marijuana mania.

It seems to me that many States, including mine, are stampeding to legalize both medicinal and recreational use of cannabis.

I worry, Madam Chairman, that too little is known about when and how marijuana can be harmful, particularly after frequent and long-term use.

I believe more than ever that it is important that we prioritize the research upon, not only the benefits, but also on the risk of marijuana.

This is a problem that is serious to my soul.

The situation is even more desperate than it was and different than it was in 1995, when the Tax Certificate Program ended.

We are headed in the wrong direction. We are headed in a downward spiral.

I am also disappointed that we are having these kinds of hearings that we have had many, many, many times before.

I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman and it is a delight to me, once again, on this very key committee in Congress.

I think promoting this would be important but, right now, this is something that the FCC hasn't been charged with.

As Chairman Rush said the other day, climate change represents only a tremendous threat to our future, but also a tremendous opportunity.

It is supported by the HVACR industry, the Chamber of Commerce, and NRDC.