Political Quotes

“I stand in opposition to this legislation which undermines the United States' energy dominance and makes us strategically weaker as a nation. I remember Admiral Mike Mullen saying there is no national security without energy security. We get that by exploring and developing the natural resources we are blessed with in this Nation. Currently, 67 percent of the energy used in our Nation is generated from oil and gas; 94 percent of the Outer Continental Shelf is off limits to exploration. The Department of the Interior projects that an estimated 89.9 billion barrels and 327 trillion cubic feet of natural gas has yet to be discovered on the Outer Continental Shelf. Opening up the entire Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf could support nearly 265,000 new, higher paying jobs, $22 billion a year in private investment, and generate almost $6 billion in new revenue for the government within 20 years of the initial lease. Mr. Cunningham's bill blocks $2.2 billion from going to schools, roads, and conservation efforts in South Carolina. Through revenue sharing, oil and natural gas development are a critical source of funding for many valuable programs. Over the past 10 years, royalty payments from lease sales have generated $73 billion for the Federal Government. Much of this money goes into conservation programs, such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund.…”