Joe Barton: “It is the great State of Texas. I want to set the Record straight on that. I commend Chairman Upton and Ranking Member…”

“It is the great State of Texas. I want to set the Record straight on that. I commend Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Rush for bringing this bipartisan bill the floor. All we hear is about how we don't get along, Mr. Speaker. Nobody is watching when we do get along. And all of the bills that are being debated and voted on on the House floor today are examples of bipartisanship at the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Mr. Upton, Mr. Rush, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Walden, and the other ranking members and subcommittee chairmen are to be commended for that. One of the bipartisan amendments, which was adopted in full committee on this bill, is a bipartisan amendment from Mr. McNerney, a Democrat from California, and myself, that deals with the cybersecurity and would suggest that, as these States provide these energy security plans to the Department of Energy, they include an assessment of cybersecurity. So I can't tell you that this is the most important amendment that has ever been added to a bill in our committee, but it is a very good amendment, a very positive amendment. As plans are developed, including an assessment of cybersecurity threats and solutions to those threats, it should make the grid better, more reliable, and help make our country safer. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 3050. Again, I commend Mr. Upton and Mr. Rush for working together, and I hope the House very quickly passes this and sends it to the other body.”