Joe Barton: “The NSPS proposal would essentially prevent any new coal-fired power plant from being constructed.”

I was in Senate Chamber trying to prevent a hold on H.R. 7217. I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 434. ____________________

As dean of the Texas delegation, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Texas, the Honorable Michael Cloud, be permitted to take the oath of office today. His certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no…

It's obvious that, to me, anyway, this program is being abused.

I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan for her kind words. I appreciate the nice gift I got yesterday from her and her husband, his new book, ``The Dean.'' I look forward to reading it over Christmas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the…