Ed Whitfield: “In summation, I urge the passage of H.R. 161, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would note once again…”

“In summation, I urge the passage of H.R. 161, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would note once again that, during the hearings on this legislation, Commissioners at FERC--both Republican and Democrat--said that more accountability was needed for agencies that issue permits that are necessary to construct natural gas pipelines. Many people have raised the issue that the President has said he would veto this bill. That is his job, that is his responsibility, and that is the type of government we have. We have a legislative branch, we have an executive branch, and we have a judiciary branch. The legislative branch's responsibility is to pass legislation that it deems necessary. If the President wants to veto it, let him veto it and give his reasons. Then the American people can listen to both sides and decide what they think is the right direction to go. I would stress once more that the Energy Information Agency data from last year's winter cold snap during the month of January showed that residential natural gas prices in Pennsylvania were 14 percent above the national average; in New Jersey, 18 percent higher; in New York, 24 percent higher; in Vermont, 60 percent higher. One of the reasons given is the lack of infrastructure to get natural gas to where it needs to go in the Northeast. This is a commonsense bill that is being presented to help solve this problem of energy needs in America.…”