there is $1 billion-plus on the table that we are not collecting.

I think that would be a very practical and direct impact change that could address this problem.

Thank you for everything that you have done not just for this industry, but for our citizens and our State.

As many of you know, this week is National Small Business Week.

This legislation has been touted as the single most important piece of legislation in decades for small business.

So, my question to those listening is if a gentleman with a degree of distinction from Oxford cannot get a loan from the United States banking system, how is it possible for 99 or 100 percent of the kids that I represent who are young…

I believe it is still our responsibility as policymakers to lift up these entrepreneurs.

Senator Hagan was absolutely a leader in pushing us to establish this provision within our bill.

As long as I chair this Committee, we are going to continue to push open this door.

we are just desperate literally to find models that work for people like Mr. Blinderman

The contracting of small business has no stronger advocate than Senator Cardin.

We think, because we have done this for a while in Louisiana, that fracking is safe under certain circumstances.

We think it played a very important part in actually helping not only, you know, innovative companies, but also established companies, in developing a new line of automobiles with advanced technology that get better mileage and are at high…

We have had a breakthrough, as you know, in finding almost 100 years, I understand, of natural gas reserves.

I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 15 minutes from the time reserved on the majority side on this issue. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

this is a very important issue we are debating today, and there are very different views about how we should proceed. I rise to object to the Menendez bill that is on the floor. I urge my colleagues to vote no, and I wish to give at least…

Natural gas is, you know, a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gasses. We have a 100-year supply.

it might make us feel better to beat up on Big Oil, it might present a scapegoat in some quarters, but it will not lower prices at the pump, and that is what we need to talk about. The economic recovery we are in--slow and spotty in…

It can produce vehicles that can achieve 40 miles per gallon, which I know the chair, who has been a leader on CAFE standards, would appreciate.

six Louisiana law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty this past year and will be recognized in Washington as part of the 49th annual commemoration of National Police Week. These brave officers made the ultimate sacrifice…

this Senator will not vote for anything unless there is some recognition of the platform that our State, you know, serves for this industry

It used to be, basically, you submitted your permit and within 30 or 60 days, you got a yes or a no.

There is not a new deepwater permit. Is that correct?

It is quite alarming that, to date, not one single new deepwater well permit for drilling in the Gulf has been issued.

But the bottom line is we need to step it up, or these numbers are going to get worse, not better.