Barbara Cubin: “I rise today because I have a solemn duty to inform the House of the investigation which I, as the chairman of the…”

“I rise today because I have a solemn duty to inform the House of the investigation which I, as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Minerals, was assigned to lead. I am very saddened by the remarks of the previous speaker because he knows very well that is not what this case is about. I rise today to uphold this body's constitutional right to conduct lawful and thorough investigative oversight hearings on issues that are important to the American people. This issue actually stems from the filing of a False Claims Act lawsuit in a Federal courthouse in Texas by two whistleblowers who uncovered royalty underpayments by major oil companies to States, local governments, and to the Federal Government. The fact is these two whistleblowers are named Benjamin Johnson and John Martinek. These are the good guys. These are the private citizens who exposed the major oil companies' underpayment of royalties. They are responsible for getting an additional $400 million for Federal, State, and local governments, in other words for American citizens. Johnson and Martinek should be commended for their efforts in stopping this illegal practice. There is no question in anyone's mind that the oil companies should pay every single penny that they owe in royalties.”