Michael Burgess: “Madam Speaker, I would only point out, certainly I have no objection to working. In fact, in my prior life as a…”

“Madam Speaker, I would only point out, certainly I have no objection to working. In fact, in my prior life as a physician I worked many Christmases, many New Years, many Fourth of Julys, Mothers Days, and Veterans Days. But the fact is here we are at the 11th hour, probably on the next to the last day before this Congress dies a merciful death, and here we are passing legislation that, in fact, we have not had a hearing on in our committee. We have not had a markup on this legislation in our committee. Several of us in the room right now are members of the Energy and Commerce Committee. I argue passionately during our committee hearings and markups that it is probably the committee with the most expertise in the whole United States Congress, and yet we didn't have a hearing to ask the simple question: Okay. We passed this legislation as part of the Energy and Policy Act in August of 2005 when it was signed into law by then President Bush. How has it done? How has it worked out? Has it performed as requested? I can't argue the fact that this isn't a good proposal. I voted for it in 2005. I suspect it is a good proposal. But wouldn't it have been great to have a hearing, to have a markup? But, instead, we bring this bill to the floor at the 11th hour right before this Congress is to adjourn, thankfully, for the last time, and Members are expected to vote on it up or down.”