Political Quotes

“I thank the Senator from Washington for her response, and I appreciate the tremendous work she has done to arrive at a budget agreement. Due to the importance of this issue, I want to seek additional confirmation of this point. The February 20, 2012 Agreement between the United States of America and the United Mexican States Concerning Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico went through the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources with the approval of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee because the implementing legislation was narrow and addressed the ability of the Department of the Interior to carry out the agreement. However, the Foreign Relations Committee engaged in robust oversight of this agreement in meetings with high-ranking officials at the Department of State and the Department of the Interior, including the submission of a detailed letter with several questions, which received a lengthy response. These actions reflect the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's intention to retain oversight of transboundary hydrocarbon agreements, and to reserve the right to draft and oversee implementing legislation for future transboundary hydrocarbon agreements.”