Nick Rahall: “Mr. Chairman, it is no secret that I oppose much of what is contained in H.R. 6 and especially provisions approved by…”

“Mr. Chairman, it is no secret that I oppose much of what is contained in H.R. 6 and especially provisions approved by the Committee on Resources. However, I do want to publicly thank the Committee on Resources chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), for his fairness, his fairness in allowing all the amendments to be heard during the committee consideration of this bill in a very judicious manner, and I appreciate that. Now, while I am disappointed that my substitute to the Committee on Resources provisions was not made in order, I do appreciate, as well, the Committee on Rules making in order my amendment to strike the Federal coal leasing provisions, as well as the gentleman from Wisconsin's (Mr. Kind) amendment to strike the non-ANWR oil and gas provisions. Finally, to my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, I thank him for having an amendment made in order to strike from this bill provisions which would have done great harm to retired coal miners and their widows; and the chairman and I have personally discussed this issue. With that, Mr. Chairman, I end my kudos. Today, this body is considering legislation that represents an unprecedented assault on America's resources and on American taxpayers under the guise of contributing to our energy security.”