On the recordJune 3, 2015
I commend my colleague for offering this amendment, and I want to offer my strong support. Mr. Chairman, we are talking here about annualizing the funding--in other words, bringing these people on board permanently--for pipeline safety inspectors who were hired in fiscal year 2015. We are also talking about the better coordination of enforcement activities between Federal, State, and local officials. I would like to remind my colleagues we have 2.6 million miles of pipeline across this country. I think the number is maybe 548 personnel in the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. This is an enormous task. The gentlewoman's amendment would greatly improve our capacity to address this challenge, and I urge its adoption.
