On the recordJune 20, 2012
Here are some facts: an estimated 13 million Americans are out of work. The State of Colorado's unemployment rate is 8.1 percent, which correlates with the national unemployment rate. Today, the State of Colorado's estimated reserves are 1 billion barrels of oil. In 1995, the State of North Dakota's estimated reserves were 151 million barrels. Today, those reserves have been increased to 4.2 billion barrels of oil; yet today, the State of North Dakota's unemployment rate is 3 percent. What do those facts tell us? Those facts tell us that drilling equals jobs, Mr. Chairman. And it's very simple. In North Dakota, they are drilling on private lands. They are driving unemployment rates down. Please, if the President wants a jobs plan, it is here. And I urge all Members to vote for this bill.
