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.

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.

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.

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.

This amendment aims to address the threat of electromagnetic pulses and geomagnetic storms on the Nation's electric grid. While I agree that we should protect our Nation's electric grid, I don't agree that we should only focus on these…

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

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

this institution could do even more.

Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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.

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

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?

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.

I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I must say that I did not come here to Congress to shadowbox with the majority party over jobs and economic opportunities for the intergenerationally and chronically unemployed citizens of my…

Over the past couple of months, I have worked tirelessly to find a reasonable compromise with the sponsor of H.R. 702, my friend and colleague from Texas (Mr. Barton), that would allow me and others with similarly situated constituencies…

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

climate change is real, and is posing an existential threat to the future of our home, this great planet