in the United States we have the best health care in the world. We have the best doctors, the best nurses, the best hospitals, the best clinics--across the board, the best health care. I believe that is because we have a health care system…

I come to the Senate floor to mark the fifth anniversary--the fifth birthday, if you will--the fifth anniversary of the application of the Keystone XL Pipeline. TransCanada applied for approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline in September of…

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

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

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.

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.

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 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 thank the good Senator from Ohio. It really does comport both with the spirit and intent of the legislation that he has coauthored with the distinguished Senator from New Hampshire, but really it actually accomplishes what the Department…

I wish to introduce two energy efficiency amendments that I am offering for attachment to the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill. I thank both of the bill's sponsors, the Senators from New Hampshire and Ohio, for their willingness to…

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

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

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

I come to the floor today to talk about the Keystone XL Pipeline. I am going to submit a concurrent resolution that I am sponsoring with Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, but before I do that, I want to talk specifically in terms of the Keystone…

I wish to thank the Senator from Maine, as well as Senator Toomey from Pennsylvania. I wish to express comments in regard to the motion to recommit we will be voting on around 3 o'clock. THUD is an important bill. It includes funding for…

I come to the floor today to speak again in support of the permanent solution to the student loan program. Like my colleague from the great State of North Carolina, I think that is exactly what we have with the bipartisan Student Loan…

I would respond to my colleague, that is exactly what I am saying. Here we are, a major coal-producing State. We are one of 14 States that meet all ambient air quality requirements. We are No. 1 in surface reclamation, land…

I would say to my distinguished colleague, I have been to West Virginia. It is an absolutely beautiful State. It is breathtaking, with its hills and valleys and bridges over rivers. It is just a gorgeous, beautiful State. As my…

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.

I would say to my colleague, he is exactly right. He hit the nail on the head. We are talking about clean coal technology and encouraging development in clean coal technology. But to do it, we have to have regulations that are attainable…

Again, my colleague makes a great point and a factual point; that is, what we are seeing happening as a result of the redtape and the regulations the administration is continuing to put forward and is proposing again to add to in its most…

I am pleased to join my distinguished colleague from West Virginia in this discussion of an energy source that is vital to our Nation, and that is coal. North Dakota, like the great State of West Virginia, is a major coal-producing State…

I would like to thank my distinguished colleague not only for his work on energy--he is already recognized as an energy leader in this body--but also most recently for student loans. He has taken a bipartisan lead on student loans that I…