On the recordMay 8, 2014
as has been discussed much this week, I believe our Nation needs a comprehensive energy policy that allows us to develop our own domestic resources and use existing resources more efficiently. The United States is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and we have to act to ensure an affordable, stable supply of energy needed to power our economy by developing them responsibly. Democrats and Republicans must work together to develop concrete policies that will lower prices, expand domestic production, and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy and minerals. That is why the debate we are having in the Senate this week is so important. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I have seen how much work has gone into the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act so far and have enjoyed being part of that process. This committee also has oversight over many of the other important, responsible energy policies we have been debating this week. That is why I was disappointed to see a procedural step taken by the majority yesterday blocking consideration of any amendments--even amendments related to the very legislation we are considering today. I sincerely hope that prior to the cloture vote on this bill we can find a bipartisan path forward to vote on related amendments such as the Keystone XL Pipeline.…
