Joe Barton: “It is absolutely imperative, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Eshoo, that we really take this seriously.”

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 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…

There's a saying that a lot of us use quite a bit. It's called no good deed goes unpunished.

I can't tell you how excited I am to have this hearing. It's really exciting for me.