Bobby Rush

I am proud to inform the Secretary that on this past Monday, with the help and support of Chairman Whitfield, Chairman Upton, Ranking Member Pallone, and many others of my colleagues on this subcommittee, the House just passed the 21st…

There is no doubt in my mind, Mr. Secretary, that you have set the gold standard as Energy Secretary in terms of your effectiveness and forward-looking policies.

A cleaner, more advanced and efficient energy system can be achieved through private sector innovation and markets, supported by Government-backed research and development--not a top-down, Government-mandated approach.

That is pretty alarming, and it seems as though we are--that is a real nightmare of a thought that you have a pipeline rupture and not have any idea about its effect on your family's health.

However, Mr. Chairman, we also know that many of the current pipelines are aging and they must be replaced, which may lead to additional problems if we keep kicking the proverbial can down the road.

Unfortunately, Mr. Chairman, it seems that every time we have a hearing on pipeline safety, we do so with a backdrop of either an ongoing spill or in the immediate aftermath of one.

Protecting consumers and average Americans should be a primary objective of all the bills this committee considers.

I support very strongly my colleague Mr. Kennedy's bill, the Fair Rates Act, which would provide the public with an opportunity to legally challenge rate changes approved by FERC essentially by new vote.

I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed to it. The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Illinois is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection.

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Michigan will be postponed. Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Tonko The Acting CHAIR. It is now…

I think that there is a bully pulpit, that you and others may be able to address this issue.

I want to commend the Commission and Commissioner Clyburn, in particular, for the capping on the predatory phone rates for our inmates across the country.

Have there been any discussions at all with some of the railroad companies?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to thank the witnesses for being here today.

I would urge the majority to immediately, again, plead with the majority to immediately schedule a hearing on the merits of global climate change.

We cannot afford to simply ignore science, ignore data, ignore the experts, and ignore the signs that Mother Nature continues to show us.

The American people deserve to hear their elected representatives voicing their opinions on what many believe to be the most consequential issue facing our time.

Is there something called climate change, or is that just a figment of most of the American people and the scientific community and the experts, is that just a figment of our imagination?

I urge, plead with the majority to also hold at least one hearing...just hold a hearing on the issue of climate change.

Does the CPP mandate any particular approach for States to reduce their carbon emissions, or is there flexibility for States to take measures based upon each State's circumstances and the work that is already undertaken?

Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

This institution could do even more.

I respectfully decline the time the gentleman was gracious to give. I really want my own time on the bill. The Acting CHAIR. The time has already been claimed.

The impacts of climate change and air pollution are severely felt by low-income and minority communities across the country.

Climate change is not a hoax. Let's take it seriously. It's a serious matter.