Joe Barton: “If we look at the marble slab behind the Speaker's rostrum, it starts out with the quote, ``Let us develop the resources…”

“If we look at the marble slab behind the Speaker's rostrum, it starts out with the quote, ``Let us develop the resources of our great land,'' and it goes on in some detail. That is by Daniel Webster. If there was ever a time that we were before this body fulfilling that wish of Daniel Webster, it is today. This energy bill that is before us touches every energy source in our country. If my colleagues think that we need to do more to develop our conventional resources of oil, gas, nuclear, coal, and hydro, it is in this bill. If my colleagues think we need to do more to develop our renewable resources like solar and hydroelectric and biomass and wind power, it is in this bill. If my colleagues think we need to focus on the future and try to find new alternative sources of energy like hydrogen, it is in this bill. If my colleagues think that we need to do something to structure the reform, the basic energy systems of our country like the electricity grid, it is in this bill. I could go on and on and on, but I will simply say that this is the most comprehensive energy bill that has ever been before a Congress of the United States of America, and it is long overdue. I am very proud of this bill. I have been working on it in some shape, form, or fashion for 19 years that I have been in the Congress. As subcommittee chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Power, I have been working on it for almost 6 years. So I think it is an excellent bill.”