Political Quotes

“I want to concur with the comments of my colleagues Mr. Thompson and Mr. Barletta in opposition to this amendment. I work closely with our friends in Germany. I am chair of the Congressional Study Group on Germany. I also have been very close and meet with many leaders from Kaiserslautern. They are very pleased with the arrangement that we have had with their community for a very long time. In fact, I met with their leaders, their municipal utility, and we have had these conversations. But what they have said is true. We might as well call this the ``Buy Russian'' amendment. Buy from Russia because if you are going to replace anthracite from the United States, there is really only one place you are going to get that. It is in Russia or perhaps in maybe some Russian-dominated areas of Ukraine right now. {time} 1630 That is it. If this energy is not sourced in the U.S., it will be sourced in Russia. As has been stated, Russia uses energy as a weapon against the West, particularly against our European allies. Why we would be unwitting allies with Vladimir Putin on this little dustup on Kaiserslautern is beyond me. For all these reasons, I say oppose this amendment, buy American- sourced energy, and reject this buy Russian amendment.”