Joe Barton: “I want to thank you, Congressman Johnson. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the Congressman from Fort Bend County, Sugar Land…”

It doesn't change the basic mission statement. It doesn't change the authorized level of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

I don't want to speak for the Department of Energy, but the draft legislation allows, without going through the appropriation process, funds generated by using this facility for private purposes to be used for maintenance of the facility.

I think it's good to have this and I think it's very good that we try to work to tighten up and, as the gentlelady just said, let's determine what the real intent is and then legislate accordingly.

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…