The two bills being discussed today take important steps toward protecting infant lives and ensuring existing laws are being followed.

Clean, safe nuclear energy is, and will continue to be, a vital component of our diverse energy portfolio.

With communications and technology issues touching nearly every part of our 21st century economy, these sectors need a fair, consistent, and transparent regulator.

I think it's a good sign when we're having a healthy debate about the tough questions before the commission--it means the system is working.

recent breakdowns in collegiality and last-minute data dumps into the record erode and needlessly distract from the commission's important work.

We need to find out why these events keep happening and what the Federal Government plans to do to stop this troubling pattern of safety lapses at our bioterrorism labs.

We must have policies that promote investment in the infrastructure to support it.

While this was an important effort, much more needs to be done.

I am convinced, would have made a difference in the recent oil spill in Santa Barbara had they been implemented by PHMSA in a timely manner.

The urgency for pipeline safety is greater than ever.

We look at the Santa Barbara spill a couple of weeks ago, and that spill, as I understand it from talking to Lois Capps, what went on for many, many hours.

There are a number of us that are not happy with the failure to really implement a number of the issues that were signed into law a number of years ago.

I look forward to studying the report and commend the state for its commitment to pipeline safety.

I am most disappointed that more than 1/3 of its requirements remain incomplete.

I think we can all agree that it is much, much better to be in a position to prevent incidents before they happen rather than to respond after they occur.

We will insist on greatly improved performance from PHMSA.

This committee has a long bipartisan history on pipeline safety issues.

I worked closely with my friend, John Dingell, on a bipartisan basis.

Unfortunately, similar to our other entitlement programs, Medicare Part D remains vulnerable to fraud and abuse.

Medicare Part D is a critically important program for our Nation's seniors.

This committee takes pipeline safety very seriously.

I would just like to say as chairman of the committee that I look forward to working with the gentleman on the language. I think this is an important amendment. I am going to speak in favor of it on Mr. Young's time in a moment. But I just…

I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 5- minute vote on passage will be followed by a 5-minute vote on approval of the Journal, if ordered. The vote was taken…

I claim the time in opposition, although I support the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Michigan is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection.

I would like to give my commitment, too. I would like to work with the gentleman from Colorado. This is an important issue. I believe it has got merit, but we have got to make sure that it is designed just the right way. I want to say it…