John Hoeven

We need to do this safely and we need a comprehensive approach.

I see the good Senator from New Mexico is here. I am willing to defer to the Senator if time is an issue for him. If it is not, I will proceed. ____________________

I thank the Senator from Louisiana for her work on the flood insurance bill. I am pleased to join her in that effort. It is very important. I hope we do have an opportunity to address that this week. We will continue to do all we can to…

I really believe in that States' first approach.

We have legislation pending right now which I think will pass very soon.

We need to find ways to address that backlog.

The regulatory burden is hurting our economy and Keystone XL pipeline is a clear case in point.

If the United States doesn't take this oil and we don't build this needed infrastructure which States like mine need, it is going to China.

We don't spend one single taxpayer dollar but we get hundreds of millions in tax revenue and the State Department, as Chairman Upton said, by its own admissions, this thing creates 40,000 jobs.

After 5 years and something like four environmental impact statements, the State Department has determined no significant environmental impact.

Look, it is not just about Canadian oil. I represent the State of North Dakota. We now produce almost a million barrels of oil a day, second only to Texas.

Eighty-two percent of Americans in a recent Harris poll support this project.

We elect presidents to make decisions, and here we sit on the 5th anniversary on a project that will produce more energy for this country, it will create jobs, economic growth, and help us with national security.

I think it is remarkable that we are sitting here for this 5th anniversary. You know, usually when you have a birthday or an anniversary, it is a good thing, but here we are, the 5th anniversary of no decision.

I believe that if we truly have an energy policy where we empower States the 50 States can all do different things.

We're producing so much oil we have a problem building the gas gathering systems rapidly enough to capture the gas.

I also believe that we can work with our closest friend and ally, Canada, in that endeavor to have North American energy security.

This is exactly the point. We need these kinds of projects. Work with us as States to empower that kind of development, not shut it off. The Senator is exactly right.

My understanding is to preserve the 2 minutes for the Senator from North Carolina.

I wish to clarify for the esteemed Senator from Iowa that I intend to speak in support of the student loan certainty act which he may not be in favor of, so I wish to be clear. I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 5 minutes, while…

And if I may respond to that. Again, that makes my point. I say to the Senator from Texas, I want to thank him for his work. That is a great example of how we have built on the foundation he laid. That was a great example. He asked for…

I do try to point out whenever I can that we are basically back on discretionary spending at 2008 levels.

I think it's going to be really key that you prioritize within that.

We all encounter you on a regular daily basis, and you're very professional. And I just want you to know we really appreciate it.

I think it's incredibly important. It's certainly a symbol of our country and a symbol for the world.