The Public Record
The Republicans are at it again-- apologizing for Big Oil against the interests of the American people. The fact of the matter is that House Republicans were for a conservation fee before they were against it, and now they're coming to the…
What I care about is safety; the safety of our most valuable resource, which is the worker him- or herself. That's what I care about, whether it's oil and gas or whether it's coal mining.
We in West Virginia understand well the need for this ``Make it in America'' initiative. Even as we diversify, from broadband infrastructure to tourism marketing, we all know what the manufacturing center means for good paying jobs. The…
Mr. Speaker, the 106th Congress authorized the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to establish the National Law Enforcement Museum on a site selected here in the District of Columbia. The authority to begin construction…
Public Law 280 has been a mixed bag for both the tribes and the States. The States that are subject to Public Law 280 possess authority and responsibility to investigate and prosecute crimes committed on reservations, but, because of…
H.R. 725 would authorize any Federal law enforcement officer to conduct an investigation of an offense involving the sale of any good that is misrepresented as an Indian-produced good or product that occurs within the United States…
H.R. 725, as amended, would mark the most significant stride forward in improving the public safety in Indian Country in a generation. Swift passage is not only critical to addressing the problem of unchecked violence in Indian Country…
American Manufacturing has long been the pride of our Nation and the core of our success. American cars, textiles, steel, aircraft, timber and other industries formed a secure base from which we could provide for our own, with quality…
Mr. Speaker, the gates of heaven opened wide early yesterday morning. West Virginia lost a faithful son, the Senate lost a father's watchful eye, and I lost my mentor and close friend. I extend my prayers and thoughts to Senator Byrd's…
I do support the heroic efforts of our West Virginia National Guard and our local responders and would urge all of my colleagues to support the pending resolution, H. Res. 1153. I have personally visited with the National Guard members…
It follows in the wake of the Sago mine disaster in 2006, which claimed 12 lives; the Darby mine disaster was also in 2006, which claimed 12 lives; and Crandall Canyon mine disaster in 2007, which claimed nine lives. While Congress…
I do want to commend, as well, the chairman of our Education and Labor Committee, Mr. George Miller, within whose jurisdiction the Mine Safety Health Administration resides. Mr. Miller is certainly a true champion of our coal miners and…
Reclaiming my time, this particular amendment does nothing to fulfill our obligation to provide a process for self-determination for the people of Puerto Rico, and it is very similar to previous amendments that have been offered today. It…
But I think it should be worth pointing out here that it's most unfortunate that we can't get the type of bipartisan support--as much bipartisan support from the other side on those issues of jobs and the economy as we do on this…
I urge defeat of this amendment as well, largely along the same lines as the earlier amendment. ``None of the above'' is the ultimate and unnecessary escape clause. The proposal for its inclusion on the ballot suggests that there exists…
The pending amendment would strike the requirement from the bill that a ballot include the full content of the ballot printed in English. Instead, the amendment requires ballots to be printed in Spanish. An English ballot could be obtained…
This amendment does nothing to further the goal of H.R. 2499, which is to provide the people of Puerto Rico with a federally recognized process to allow them to freely express their wishes regarding their future political status in a…
This bill was carefully crafted to give the people of Puerto Rico the opportunity to inform Congress for the first time ever whether they want to continue with their current temporary status, Commonwealth, or move to a permanent status…
Thank you, Mr. Chairman George Miller. Mr. Speaker, last week, on Monday, April 5, an explosion tore through the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh, West Virginia, taking the lives of 29 good, hardworking men. It was the repeat of a…
I rise simply to thank my many colleagues in this body on both sides of the aisle that have expressed their condolences this week in the debate that has just occurred or rather to me personally or in phone calls. I know that my colleague…
As we all know, aviation is a critical component of our Nation's transportation system. Aviation not only supports the quick and efficient delivery of goods and services it is essential to the health and success of our Nation's commerce…
Throughout my career of public service, there have been a few critical challenges that have remained at the top of my priority list; protecting our coal miners and our coal jobs and the need to provide our people with access to affordable…
The Bible tells us for everything there is a season. Surely, that includes a time to work and a time to rest. Since 1979 I've had the privilege and indeed the honor of working with a West Virginian who has had an extraordinary time of…
This amendment proposes to require the Native Hawaiian governing authority to comply with the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The Abercrombie substitute will correctly treat the Native Hawaiian governing entity the same as…
For 20 years, Neil Abercrombie and I have served together on our Natural Resources Committee. We have fought many battles together, and I have always been proud to call him my friend--a unique friend, I might add. He has always been able…
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