Joe Barton

So not everybody is totally happy, but everybody had input.

Is it the Federal Government, top-down, or is it the people in the States, bottom-up?

This kind of innovation should be encouraged by local and federal agencies and these agencies should maintain oversight throughout the process...

I find it disingenuous for the Federal Government and in particular the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to think that they are the only ones that can do this effectively.

As I read the Constitution, it starts with three words, 'We, the people,' which means the power comes from God to the people.

I think that is the best way to do it.

The recognition that it is the states rather than the feds that can best regulate their domestic oil and gas productions...

But the basic policy decisions on these issues appear to me to be best made at the State.

Texas has chosen to regulate hydraulic fracturing, but to allow it.

The issue before the subcommittee and this panel is really, who is going to set the policy? Who is best able to set the policy?

I think the Oil and Gas Commission is perfectly capable of setting policy.

Not everybody is totally happy, but everybody had input.

The current law gives the States great flexibility, great opportunity.

The States are doing most of the work in actual environmental protection on a day-to-day basis.

So that being the case, it's certainly appropriate to honor the past. But part of his legacy are his children, and I would encourage anyone who wishes to get the address or the email and make a contribution so that the Nation shows its…

Well, thank you, Congressman Neugebauer. I think we have spent a good bit of our time extolling the virtues and honors of Chris Kyle and the other gentleman who was murdered, Mr. Littlefield. I want to take a minute to brag on you a little…

I thank the gentleman from Lubbock for yielding, and I'm proud to be a part of this Special Order. I want to say at the very beginning that, unlike Congressman Neugebauer, I did not know Chris Kyle or Chad Littlefield, the other individual…

You keep saying ``another great Texan.'' That's redundant. If you say ``Texan,'' it's assumed that they're great.

I love to be recognized, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

As a fuel source, though, do you use a lot of natural gas in your foundry?

I am a co-sponsor of your legislation, and I hope we will move to----

Which country is number one right now in CO2 emissions, the United States, or China?

Are CO2 emissions in the United States up or down?

When I was chairman of the full committee, we passed a bill called the Energy Policy Act of 2005...

The domestic energy boom is good news--but only if we are wise enough to let it happen.