John Barrasso

I want to work with you on this issue as we move forward with the legislative process.

Well, I want to thank you, Senator Carper, for raising this issue, which is a concern for all of us.

I would encourage everyone to support the package nonetheless.

I have worked closely with Ranking Member Carper to draft this amendment.

The legislation also reauthorizes the Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act, or WIFIA. This leverages billions of dollars in non-Federal investment for water infrastructure projects.

The bill is also co-sponsored by Committee members Capito, Van Hollen, Wicker, Boozman, Whitehouse, and Sullivan.

America's Water Infrastructure Act will grow the Nation's economy, will give State and local leaders increased input in water infrastructure projects, will cut bureaucratic red tape, and will make communities safer from dangerous floods…

Innovation is how America will be a leader in reducing emissions.

In Congress, we need to support efforts like the Integrated Test Center so America can maintain its leadership in carbon capture and utilization and sequestration technologies.

My home State of Wyoming is already a leader in supporting carbon utilization research.

I appreciated the time that you spent with me in my office yesterday concerning the flood issues on the Missouri River.

Five years is not acceptable.

The President has made rebuilding America's infrastructure a top priority in this Administration.

Well, thank you very much, and thanks for that national commitment to deal with that.

In the West, as I have realized from talking to you in the past, the water resource itself is what you are after and what you are losing by sediment.

I appreciate that very much and we will continue in close communication to make sure that that is able to be accomplished.

What assurances can you give me that you are working with local entities, as well as the Bureau of Reclamation, to minimize flooding in this area?

Rural America is very appreciative for the very helpful and beneficial provisions in your water legislation.

The Great Compromise of 1787 that allows for proportional representation of States, including very rural States, in Federal policy is alive and well in this Committee.

The forestry provisions in the Omnibus fell far short of my expectations, but there is reason for hope.

I am really glad to hear you say that you understand the need to focus the budget on stewardship of natural resources.

We do see benefit to being able to expand that technology to include fossil-fired power plants.

We certainly believe there will come a point where storage will compete competitively with that.

I would ask unanimous consent to submit for the record a brief filed by 18 States, including my home State of Wyoming, a State that increased Federal control would 'increase administrative and legal costs to the States and their…

Do you feel it is helpful, then, for the Federal Government to suddenly step in with what could be duplicative and time consuming and expensive regulations?