On the recordJanuary 26, 2023
This amendment precludes land that has ``no or low potential for oil and gas development'' from being included in the production plan. I have got news for my friends across the aisle. If lands have ``no or low to no potential for oil and gas development,'' the private sector likely would not seek a lease for that land in the first place. Regardless, it is not the government's job to make that decision. The government shouldn't be in the business of choosing winners and losers. Didn't we see that with some other industry out in California a while back? If it were the government's job to choose winners and losers, we would not have had the Shale Revolution. Look at what that has done for America. This amendment is unnecessary, and it is vague enough to be abused as a political tool, as we have seen with the current administration with the SPR. We don't want that to keep happening. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Nevada (Mrs. Lee). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.
