Ralph Hall: “I am pleased, of course, today to rise in support of this bill, the underlying vehicle for this package of legislation…”

“I am pleased, of course, today to rise in support of this bill, the underlying vehicle for this package of legislation, H.R. 4017, which was introduced by the chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Power, my good friend, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Dan Schaefer), and have joined him as a cosponsor. That measure passed the House, I think, back in September. Due to what then appeared to be the lateness of the congressional session, the body of H.R. 4017 was substituted for the text of a bill that was being held at the Speaker's desk, the Senate bill, S. 417, and forwarded to the Senate. The other body added three other provisions to the measure, and they returned it to us. The provisions would ensure, and this is a very important segment of it, ensure that Hawaii was guaranteed access to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve during an oil supply disruption, and extend the authorization of some things.”