Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, as we all know, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was established decades ago by our 38th President, Gerald Ford, in the aftermath of the oil crisis of the early 1970s. Ever since, the reserve has proven to be an incredibly effective tool at the President's disposal in instances where the Nation has found itself confronted with a crisis. Whether we find ourselves facing a catastrophic natural disaster, a substantial spike in global oil prices, or an outbreak of international conflict, Presidents have used the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in each of these situations and others to ensure the Nation is able to respond swiftly, avoid disruptions to vital operations, and minimize the financial pain facing American families. Tragically, it is not a matter of if but, rather, when the next national emergency will occur. I think we can all agree that the last thing any of us want is for the President's ability to quickly mobilize the Nation's response to be encumbered or hindered by unintentional red tape. This amendment would straightforwardly, but importantly, avoid that potential pitfall by including an exception for national emergencies as declared under the National Emergencies Act. We all know how government bureaucracies work, and it is always slowly.…”