Joe Barton: “Thank you, Chairman Pitts and Ranking Member Pallone for holding this hearing today.”

My Texas pride doesn't need to be hurt by that, is what you are telling me.

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.

Every now and then, we have a day when it reminds us why we ran for Congress. Today is one of those days.

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