Chellie Pingree: “It is hard for me to actually understand my colleague's argument here. He opposes modernizing the Mineral Leasing Act…”

“It is hard for me to actually understand my colleague's argument here. He opposes modernizing the Mineral Leasing Act, basically raising lease fees at a time when he is complaining about the deficit, meaning the revenue could be very helpful. The way I read this, we are just catering to oil and gas interests, enabling them to continue to operate at rates that don't benefit the American people. I have no idea how this works well for us. Why would my colleague think that at a time when he is also looking for more ways to balance our budget? Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.”