Let's all take some deep breaths.

I think everyone said we need a national standard. We don't want to destroy Federal--there's the interstate commerce clause.

President Trump was elected to be a disruptor, and he has--and he disrupts about everything in agencies and in government.

We should not have a fractured marketplace driven by policies that cater to urban customers at the expense of customer need in rural areas.

They think we are very dysfunctional here in Washington, and we are, most of the time--we eventually get to compromise.

We must be clear eyed about the impacts on all Americans of the policy we pass because that's what Article I of the constitution requires we do.

You know, the elephant in the room is, are you guys talking or are you not.

I trust the work done by the world-class scientists and engineers who produced these reports. I believe their work can stand up to the scrutiny of the skeptics if put to the test.

Together, these represent the Federal Government's scientific and technical case for the permanent geological repository we are required by law to build and operate.

While Congress is not spending ratepayer money on the program they paid for, it is spending taxpayers money for its failure to move forward.

When Congress chooses not to spend money on the nuclear waste program, it is basically keeping ratepayer money for other purposes.

Shortcuts lead to dead ends, and I am concerned that the proposed measure that focused solely on interim storage without integrating it into a permanent system for disposal may sound good and expedient, but they will not work, and they may…

That is why we need funding reform, and that is part of this debate.

Those skeptics, some of whom we'll hear from today, don't believe this science.

We are acting under a law that is the current law of the land.

This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Reps Diana DeGette and John Shimkus, would allow physical therapists to participate in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment program.

And, you know, nuclear being carbon-fee emissions, if we want to meet any type of objectives and keep rates somewhat acceptable, we will still have to have base load major generation.

So I want to thank him for that, and I want to encourage my colleagues on the committee to look at that bill and ask us questions, and then consider cosponsoring it, as the chairman is at least supportive of having a hearing and discussing…

I want to really highlight Jerry McNerney for dropping the Nuclear Waste Policy Act Amendment of 2019.

I think the only thing that gives me pause on this parts of legislation is this is authorization. Then the question is appropriation.

Again, I appreciate my colleague coming down to the floor, especially when, in his opening statement, he says he wants drug costs to go down now. It is not going to happen now because it is in a package that is not going to be accepted by…

I believe I have the right to close. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Vermont is recognized.

I would reserve the balance of my time unless my colleague yielded back. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman has the only time remaining.

I don't know my colleague very well, but I think it is instructive to our citizens as a whole that Members come from across this great land and have a lot of different issues. I think it is instructive that even Members of Congress can be…

Obviously, I rise in opposition to this, and I understand my colleague from Florida's great expertise in this area and served in the previous administration. But when you have to subsidize a plan--there are a couple of problems. First of…