Nick Rahall: “I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, as someone who has the privilege of representing an…”

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, as someone who has the privilege of representing an ``American-made energy'' producing State, I understand the economic benefits of producing energy here at home, and I believe my record on this subject in this body is well-documented. I want to begin, of course, by complimenting the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry) for his leadership on this legislation, as well as Chairman Mica of my Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee Chairman Shuster, and Ranking Member Corrine Brown. I do rise today to express serious concerns regarding the process, or rather lack thereof, that was taken to bring this legislation to the House floor for consideration today. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has primary jurisdiction over pipeline construction and safety legislation. Following this longstanding precedent, on May 23, the Speaker designated the Committee on T&I as the committee of primary jurisdiction of the pending legislation. Yet instead of considering the legislation under regular order, as the committee has always done in the past, Chairman Mica chose to discharge the committee from consideration of the bill. Now, I have served on the Committee on T&I for 34 years--my entire tenure in this body. I cannot think of one instance when this committee, acting as the committee of primary jurisdiction, has discharged its consideration of major legislation in this manner--not one single instance.…”