Bobby Rush

I think that's a very critical concern on the plans or the technology--on the well-intentioned efforts of many of us we have come to know and we don't have a sufficient, capable, and expert workforce.

I want to touch on an area that we have been silent on--this hearing's been silent on so far and that's the area of the cybersecurity workforce.

If recent history is any indication, then it's not a matter of if, Mr. Chairman, but, rather, when some threat... challenges the resiliency of our nation's energy infrastructure.

Many of us, Mr. Chairman, still view Russia, among other countries, as a potential threat to the U.S. grid system...

We cannot accept this. We cannot allow Republicans to do this to seniors, to children and to the people with disabilities.

Now according to the study in the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the oldest and most prestigious medical journals, if Republicans take away everyone's coverage over 43,000 people could die each year based on these actions.

But Republican and Democratic governors are begging Republicans here in Washington, please don't do this Congress members, because if Republicans in Congress do, these governors know that their state, the people in their state are going to…

Let me be very clear here, ladies and gentlemen, for the majority of Americans, middle class Americans, Medicaid is what gets you or your mother or your father into a nursing home.

Mr. Secretary, it has been indeed a pleasure working with you to establish the critically important Minorities in Energy Initiative in DOE.

I understand that the cable industry is saying that the information that you are requesting that it does not exist in their network...

What does--what is the impact when the rules are designed to protect the environment and public health, safety and financial security and then there are also the regulations that are taking the longest to finalize and experience the most…

This witness has been badgered and badgered and badgered and badgered and badgered, Mr. Chairman.

This hearing is getting way out of hand and then you have to have some responsibility for it.

When are you going to stop the badgering of witnesses before this committee?

That is extreme and I said it to you when it was mentioned, if you don't agree with the facts, then all of a sudden you are called un-American.

So the health issues are really, really troubling and a critical stage for our Nation.

These are having real impacts on people, on their health, on their economic well-being and their ability to live their lives in this country.

You've heard these claims many times before the Republican Party cried wolf when it comes to actual cost and benefits attributed to Clean Air Act rules and other regulations issued by your agency.

If one didn't know any better they might think that the majority party really, really, really has it out for your agency.

It is impossible to address the most pressing issues associated with climate change if we simply follow the example of the Republican Party of putting our collective heads deep, deep, deep in the sand and kicking this serious problem down…

The issue of RFS seems to have morphed into an all or nothing scenario where there is no room for common ground or compromise.

I am most interested, Mr. Chairman, in hearing about the impact of the RFS on food and agricultural prices as well as the issues surrounding the gasoline ethanol blend wall.

It is imperative that we also examine the impact of the RFS in regards to climate change for those who are concerned about this very, very critical issue.

From its inception I strongly supported this policy and the goals that it was first enacted to do.

I want to thank you again, Mr. Chairman.