Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Rahall for his leadership on this critical legislation. I was pleased to work with the chairman to ensure that CEOs of oil companies are held accountable for the safety of their company's drilling operations. We developed language included in the legislation that requires oil company CEOs to certify their drilling and spill response plan capabilities before receiving a permit to proceed. That language has been further strengthened by adding a provision to impose civil penalties on any CEO that files a false certification. Penalties of consequence will force CEOs to take this process seriously and make it significantly less likely that companies submit inferior or faulty plans. The best CEOs will take this requirement in stride, recognizing it is a fair expectation of them. This provision will ensure accountability and make it less likely that a spill of this consequence will happen in the first place. I rise today in strong support of the Consolidated Land, Energy and Aquatic Resources Act (H.R. 3534). The legislation includes significant and wide-ranging reforms to ensure that oil and gas development on federal lands and waters is only done when it can be transparent and safe. The BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill has reinforced my very serious concerns about the effect of offshore drilling on coastal communities and maritime ecosystems.…”