Madam Chair, I might just also remind everyone that this 5-year, 6-year period for this permit was for only an exploratory permit, not even a production permit. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce).

I yield myself 5 minutes. I would like to say that the American people expect the Congress to provide opportunities for us to fully explore our natural resources. This is a very modest bill that only changes one very small part of the…

Madam Chair, I would also like to clarify that this bill does not change the Clean Air Act in any way as it relates to monitoring stationary sources or mobile sources. I wanted to point that out. Second of all, the gentlelady from…

I yield myself 3 minutes. The gentleman, in his statement, noted that we consume 25 percent of the world's oil, but we possess only 2 percent of the world's reserves. And that's precisely why we're trying to pass this bill, because oil…

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Kentucky is recognized for 5 minutes.

Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired. Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered read for amendment under the 5-minute rule. The text of the bill is as follows H.R…

Madam Chair, I would like to quote from Lisa Jackson, who was talking explicitly about the permitting issue here. She said: I believe that the analysis clearly shows that there is no public health concern here. And that's why EPA, on three…

I yield the balance of my time, in opposition, to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Gardner). The CHAIR. The gentleman from Colorado is recognized for 1\1/2\ minutes.

I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier). The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.

Mr. Chairman, I've had the opportunity to serve many years with the gentleman from Illinois, who's the ranking member of this subcommittee, and have a great deal of respect and admiration for him. But I would point out to him that this…

I might remind our friend from Massachusetts that EPA actually approved the drilling permit, the exploratory drilling permit for Shell, in this case, on three separate occasions; but the delay has been the appeals by the opposing party to…