Mary Landrieu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman for convening this hearing. It is very important that Congress be informed of the expected energy outlook for not only the U.S. but for the world so we can make informed decisions on the policies we enact.

We don't think there should be export restrictions.

So opening up that export, I think, is the right thing to do.

People are very interested in making America more energy secure.

I wish to commend the minority leader for that beautiful tribute. I have been privileged to be on the floor several times when he has offered tributes to his constituents, and I always find them to be so beautifully written and delivered…

Thank you very much. We will only take a minute. I would like to yield the majority of my time to the ranking member who has worked so hard on this bill. I would like to thank the cosponsors and thank all of my colleagues for supporting a…

I would say this program is one of the most effective antiwelfare programs in the country that we fund in Washington. A student from Xavier University wrote in. This student is a first-year student majoring in biology, in premed. This is…

I hope people understand there are differences in some government programs. This is a partnership between the Federal Government and our own individual citizens, a partnership with them and a partnership with the universities, saying: We…

Thank you for sharing the history of this wonderful asset and we look forward to working with you.

I am really hoping that the 3rd time will be the charm where we can put this bill in a package of other worthy parks and areas and try to get this passed for the people of Louisiana.

I want to thank you for including this bill, Mr. Chairman, on your agenda.

I have always thought we had a silly policy in regard to Cuba, a unilateral sanction, particularly when it comes to food and medicine and agriculture commodities.

It is actually a tax on income over a million, and I just want to get that straight.

I just want to get that straight for the record.

It needs to be a bipartisan, bicameral bill.

I share Senator Snowe's frustration in that part.

We have to overcome a filibuster, get it done.

The problem with the recession, and I hear this from small businesses, probably more than anything last year by the way, more than anything, was the lack of availability of credit because the value of their collateral had gone down.

What we are desperately trying to do is to provide support for small businesses.

It is amazing to me now to hear the complaint that one part of this bill at least is not being implemented fast enough because if the Republicans had their way it would not have been in the books at all.

I was here when President Reagan was elected, and we were facing very severe circumstances, and we had 10.6, 10.8 percent unemployment.

It cannot be done by Congress alone. It should be the President and the Congress working together, both branches.

Go down to Main Street and ask them what they are talking about.

I am hearing from everybody, regardless of size, and that is all I am indicating to you, Mr. Secretary.

People cannot wait. There have been too many faulty assumptions and miscalculations, and regrettably, the burden of which has now been borne by so many unemployed people.