Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act, a bipartisan bill that will prevent a global helium shortage that could limit high-tech manufacturing and critical scientific research. Recognizing the value of our helium resources, the government established a Federal Helium Reserve in the 1960s. In 1996, Congress enacted legislation to privatize the Reserve and sell off its supply. Unfortunately, that sale has been conducted at below-market rates even as demand for helium, which is critical for hospitals, manufacturing, and research, has increased. Moreover, under that 1996 law, the Reserve will have to stop operations this October, cutting our domestic supply by nearly half and causing a worldwide shortage. Today's legislation creates a new, auction-based program for selling helium from the Reserve, preventing the shortage and ensuring that taxpayers get fair value for this resource. It's a common sense solution to a serious problem and I urge my colleagues to support it.”