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 was very heartened by the opening comments of Mr. Rush and Mr. Pallone.

I want to thank Congressman Rush for working with me as one of the two lead bipartisan sponsors.

We are just trying to adopt the SPR to the modern situation.

But I also think I speak for the majority and the minority that we hope that this is something that can move reasonably expeditiously and that means actually end up in a bill the President signs in this Congress.

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

I am a little bit skeptical if we are doing this simply because we don't like natural gas power, we don't like coal power, we don't like nuclear power, because that would be an added cost that somebody's got to bear.

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

Well, then the manufacturer doesn't have to give the coupon. If they don't give the coupon to the doctor, the doctor doesn't give it to the patient.

It is not complicated if you are an elected member of Congress and all of a sudden Medicare recipients start showing up at their town, town hall.

Then we should just stiff the Medicare recipients?