Joe Barton: “I am only in mild opposition to this, but I am in opposition. I don't really think we need this particular study. It…”

“I am only in mild opposition to this, but I am in opposition. I don't really think we need this particular study. It seems to be duplicative. It wouldn't be the worst amendment ever adopted on the House floor, if it were to be adopted, but I don't really think that it's necessary. What I really want to talk about is the current Republican chief of staff to the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Bud Albright, who is in the Chamber behind me. Last evening, the other body confirmed him to be the Under Secretary of Energy, and so he will be leaving in the very near future to try to use some of the great things he has learned from myself and Mr. Dingell and Mr. Boucher and others for the benefit of the Department of Energy and the people of the United States of America as the number three person at the Department. He began his public service career with the Department of Justice, where he was a prosecutor. I got to know him when he came to the Energy and Commerce Committee as my general counsel on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee back in 1995. He went into private practice for a time. Then, when I became the chairman of the committee 3 1/2 years ago, I asked him to be the majority chief of staff; and he has performed those duties in outstanding fashion. He has performed the duties of the minority chief of staff in an outstanding fashion. He will be leaving us to go to the Department of Energy.”