Joe Manchin

Our forces should withdraw from Iraq, and the President has made the right call in abiding by the agreement signed by his predecessor.

First, and most importantly, we should leave because we said we would.

Our military withdrawal, as agreed to in the 2008 Security Agreement, sends a clear message to the Iraqi people and the Arab world that the United States keeps its commitments.

It is time to complete the transition of responsibility for Iraq's security now to the Iraq Government.

Iraq will not be able to defend its own air space until 2020, at the earliest.

I believe that that was the right decision.

We've declared energy independence. We don't believe that we should be dependent on a drop of foreign oil.

I can't believe in this many--the 21st century we don't have an energy policy that's totally energy independent.

Currently the Nation is virtually energy independent in the stationary sector. Neither natural gas nor coal--the fossil fuels most important to stationary energy--are currently traded in an integrated global market that sets a global price.

I'm sure that you're going to see the Federal Government hopefully act in a way that creates a good partnership.

I think that you all can do that.

I know that you have the best interest of the State of West Virginia.

We owe it to future generations to make sure that we clean up whatever we've left behind.

I appreciate all of your candor. I hope this has been informative for all of you.

I know that will help our legislators in making their final determination if you all can be in agreement.

Let's put that in the rule. Let's put that in the statute.

The feds aren't going to take primacy from us.

Let me just say with all of our power plants and we're very hopeful for a new coal to liquids plant in Southern West Virginia, Mingo County.

I think certainty is important to all of the stakeholders involved in natural gas development here.

The most troubling thing that I have concern of is--and you and I have spoke about this, is the contract that you have with the pipeline company that the first 75,000 barrels of, let's say, of product is going to be leaving our State which…

Are the proposed standards that we have in the bill adequate?

If I can to Mr. West, do you believe that it's possible to have an irresponsible drilling operation that could do irreparable harm to our environment if we don't have specific drilling rules in place?

With the decline in the coal industry, the people that work in that industry right now, the jobs that we're providing in the coal industry.

West Virginia is in a 'unique position of strength' with this resource.

I encourage you to come together as West Virginians always do and work for the betterment of the people of West Virginia.