Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from South Carolina for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 3277, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act. Working with my good friend, Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, this bipartisan legislation was introduced to help address an ever-growing need. We live in a world where energy infrastructure is constantly facing threats. As we become more reliant on technology in all aspects of our grid, it is important to understand the magnitude of the risks associated with this dependence. We face the persistent threat of cyberattacks, like the Colonial Pipeline, which paralyzed multiple regions of our country for an entire week in 2021. Our energy infrastructure is the most targeted critical infrastructure sector, facing 39 percent of cyber incidents. The sophistication and sheer numbers of cyberattacks are growing by the year, but these aren't the only threats. In addition, our energy systems have become increasingly more complex. They have also become more vulnerable to all manner of hazards, including natural disasters, physical attacks, and global shortages. According to The Wall Street Journal, physical attacks on energy infrastructure catapulted by 71 percent from 2021 to 2022. We need to make sure the Department of Energy is properly equipped to combat these threats and respond in case of an emergency.…”