Doc Hastings

These management actions are the latest in a series of restrictions placed on commercial fishing activities in the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska in an effort to protect Steller sea lions.

For the record, this hearing is occurring at the request of the Democrat Minority, who exercised their rights under the Rules of the House and the Committee to demand a second day of hearings with witnesses that they request.

If the companies officially cited for the oil spill had outright refused to provide witnesses, testimony or answers to the Committee, then I would be leading the effort to compel them to appear by subpoena if necessary.

Perhaps we could work together and dig into this a little bit more and maybe from a document standpoint, certainly to get more clarification.

We seem to have a grand agreement here.

I was very, very frustrated that we had to postpone this for three weeks.

If I had my way, every time we have a hearing here and have a member of the Administration here I would like to have the Secretary of the Interior here.

The time it takes to get approval for permits and exploration plans is much longer today.

Instead of looking at the number of permits issued, we should also look at production levels.

Permitting activity in the Gulf has dramatically declined under the Obama Administration and has operated at lows that equate to hurricane-induced slowdowns.

The Obama Administration's inability, or refusal, to issue permits in a timely and efficient manner after the official moratorium was lifted resulted in lost jobs and significant economic pain.

Permitting activity in the Gulf has dramatically declined under the Obama Administration and has operated at lows that equate to hurricane-induced slowdowns.

The Obama Administration's inability, or refusal, to issue permits in a timely and efficient manner after the official moratorium was lifted resulted in lost jobs and significant economic pain.

It is time to get people back to work and get the economy rolling again in the Gulf.

I find that hard to believe because there are state lands that are right next to national forest lands in Washington State.

We need a new approach--one that renews the federal government's commitment to manage resources for the benefit of forested counties and their schools.

The result has been a staggering loss of jobs and economic productivity in these forested communities.

This draft legislation puts forth a long-term solution as the clock ticks on the expiration of this program.

This draft proposal seeks to stop and reverse this trend.

Restoring active management of our national forests... would provide a stable revenue stream for those counties and schools.

We cannot afford to forever finance this program, $500 million in annual mandatory spending, during the times of growing deficits and debts.

These two bills will protect and inform taxpayers. And they deserve bipartisan support from this Committee.

As long as I am Chairman of the full Committee, that any legislation dealing with removing the Snake River dams will not be looked upon favorably by me.

Such projects were under way before the program existed, and undoubtedly they will continue to stand on their own economically after it has ended.

Chairman McClintock's bill would protect taxpayers and responsibly end this risky stimulus program.