Political Quotes

“I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, here we go again with unnecessary amendments designed to delay the work of Congress in enacting important legislation that would expand U.S. offshore energy production in order to create, once again, millions of new American jobs, to lower energy prices, to grow our economy, and strengthen our national security. H.R. 2231 is similar to legislation passed last Congress and fully upholds existing states' rights within their boundaries and offshore areas. Nothing in this bill changes the fundamental 60-year-old relationship between States and the Federal Government enshrined in the Submerged Lands Act or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. This bill is focused on activity in Federal waters and respects States' abilities to control and govern their waters. States' authority is in no way limited or affected by this bill. Existing Federal law protects states' rights over their waters, and boundaries are not changed or amended in this bill. I've now repeated that three times. The gentleman's amendment is asserted as a simple restatement of these states' rights, though its sponsor admits the principle is not a restatement of existing law, but of the principle--big difference in that, Mr. Chairman, which is where the amendment then raises several serious questions that leads me to oppose its adoption in the form that it is written.…”