Bud Shuster: “I certainly understand where the gentleman from Massachusetts is coming from. I don't know all the details, but it…”

“I certainly understand where the gentleman from Massachusetts is coming from. I don't know all the details, but it sounds troubling. His amendment, as it is written, would go far beyond the mandate by inserting PHMSA into the approval process to construct a pipeline at the request of a State or tribe. This could significantly slow down construction to complete some of these pipelines around the country or even to start them. Pipelines are extremely safe. Again, I understand and empathize with the gentleman and the situation he is talking about, but pipelines carry 99.997 percent of all hazardous material safely to their destination. Again, we need to make sure PHMSA's scarce resources are focused on its mission to ensure pipelines are operated and maintained safely. This is a time where the country desperately needs to get more pipeline. The gentleman's amendment is just too broadly written, and the unintended consequences would go far beyond what he is talking about. So I would have to vote in opposition to his amendment, but I certainly would like to help the gentleman, if I can, if it is a situation where we can be of any help to him. But this amendment is too broadly written. So I would oppose it. I reserve the balance of my time.”