Joe Barton

I want to engage in a short colloquy with the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) concerning LIHEAP funding. Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Well, on page 18, the implementation plan just says the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a plan. But it is your understanding that if this were to become law, these refineries that would be built by the Department of Energy would…

Would these refineries operate continuously, around the clock, or would they only operate when the President has declared an energy emergency?

First of all, it says the Secretary shall establish and operate. Does that mean that the Federal Government would actually build these refineries and operate them with Federal employees?

I know the gentleman's intent is honorable. I am not questioning that. Can the gentleman answer questions about section 191, the Strategic Refinery Reserve? I know the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Boucher) is the prime author.

We do not have in the manager's amendment the words ``unconscionably excessive.'' We do not have the words ``gross disparity.'' I am not disputing the intent. I understand that. I do question the advisability of putting that in statute…

I am asking what if it was conscious? What if somebody set a price that was not unconscious, but said I am going to raise the price? Would that trigger it? Look, I am asking legitimate questions.

So reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, if they were up 250 percent, that would not be unconscionably excessive?

We have had some catastrophes the last several weeks in our great Nation, but there is some good news. I am proud to report that the Sixth District of Texas has a new voter, at least in 18 years. Jack Kevin Barton was born to my sweet…

I want to first recommend the gentlewoman of Nevada to look at section 1290 of the bill which is an item that the Senior Centers in Nevada strongly supports. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns)…

We thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) for using his chart once again. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), the distinguished chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

I am in awe, as always, of the gentleman of Massachusetts' rhetorical abilities. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood), a member of the committee and a conferee.

I rise just to say that I object to the motion to instruct. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I speak in rabid opposition to this amendment, not because I oppose the total intent of it, but because it is legislating on an appropriations bill. If it were to pass and remain in the bill, it would make the Committee on Energy and…

I ask that we all vote for the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton). The amendment was agreed to. The Acting…

I am prepared to recognize the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts) if the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) also wants to recognize him at this time. I yield him 1 minute. Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman 2 minutes. The…

I will yield 1 of my 2 minutes to the gentleman if he wants to close on the amendment.

We always thank the gentlewoman for her inquiries. The Acting CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider Amendment No. 28 printed in House Report 109-49. Amendment No. 28 Offered by Mr. Inslee

To close the debate, I yield the remaining 30 seconds to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton).

First, I yield for a unanimous consent request to the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle). (Mr. DOOLITTLE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I will be happy to, Mr. Chairman. The Acting CHAIRMAN. Will the gentlewoman consider withholding her motion at this time and perhaps bringing it up a little later?

I am in support of the Abercrombie amendment and hope that the House accepts it.

Hopefully, the gentleman from Hawaii and I, together, can overcome him. I do support the gentleman's amendment at the appropriate time.

I am supportive, but my understanding is that the gentleman from Arizona is going to be nonsupportive.

Since the gentleman from California is a member of the committee of jurisdiction and since he offered this in committee and it was made in order by the Committee on Rules to be offered, even though he was somewhat tardy in arriving, would…