Sheila Jackson Lee: “My good friend from Texas apparently did not understand the prior amendment in terms of its utilization in the time of…”

“My good friend from Texas apparently did not understand the prior amendment in terms of its utilization in the time of disasters that his district faces as mine does all the time and many other Americans. So let me indicate as I move to No. 36, this is, again, an effort to help Americans and to address the question of the efficiency of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. My amendment would allow the necessary and routine test drawdowns that occur as part of the work to make sure the reserve can fulfill its function of providing access to the resources on a moment's notice in time of emergencies. Those of us in various parts of the Nation understand emergencies. In keeping with our commitment to addressing the core mission of many of us to reduce emissions, we may need a number of tests. Tests are basic to the core mission of the reserve and often involve numbers of barrels or less being drawn down. The Jackson Lee amendment would provide the provisions of this bill should not be triggered by Strategic Petroleum Reserve tests. The Jackson Lee amendment would ensure that tests can continue without delay or suspension out of concern regarding the requirements of the bill so that this Strategic Petroleum Reserve can stand ready to be able to efficiently address what is needed. I am concerned about the direct attack because the CEO--the President of the United States--in the executive article utilizes his powers to help Americans in the midst of a disaster.…”