John Barrasso

The Good Neighbor Authority would be a useful tool for the states and the Forest Service.

The timing of the Administration's budget is another example, in my opinion, of the President leading from behind.

With bipartisan support of this committee it's time, I believe, for the Administration to fully support this common sense and much needed legislation.

I believe that developing water for our rural areas is vital to economic growth in the West.

I just want to say that these Indian irrigation projects need to be addressed, I believe, as part of this bill so that these tribes can get the assistance that they need.

So I heard Senator Baucus say it wouldn't cost one thin dime.

Numerous issues need to be addressed to improve project management and financial sustainability.

I agree completely with Senator Baucus' comments about water in the Rocky Mountain West, jobs and our economy.

The CEO of the company that was to build the plant stated that the plant, he said, is a victim of the EPA's concerted effort to stifle solid fuel energy facilities in the United States.

The President said during his State of the Union address that if Congress won't act soon to protect future generations that he would direct the Cabinet to come up with executive actions he said we can take in terms of pollution and prepare…

I think it is important for all of us to know if the EPA and this Administration are going to be transparent or are intentionally deciding to try to deceive the American people.

Since you have taken office, 10 percent of coal-fired generated power in the United States has been taken offline.

Clearly, Congress, in a bipartisan way, rejected these efforts by the President in terms of climate change, rejected the issues of Federal waters.

I want to first respond to something that the Chairman said about the dual email accounts, saying everybody does it.

Excessive rules from EPA affecting coal-fired power plants pose a serious threat to America's economic competitiveness.

Coal miners used to be heroes. But now many of my brothers and sisters in the coal industry fear for their families' livelihood.

I am not sure whether the nominee before us today is personally aware of so many folks who have actually lost their jobs because of the EPA.

So I think we further note that if HUD fails to act, then tribes actually can't expend their housing funds.

In the past, a major bottleneck in the housing development process has been land leasing.

The National American Indian Housing Council estimates that there is a need for about 250,000 new housing units throughout Indian Country.

The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act is up for reauthorization this year.

We need to work together to identify the barriers to Indian housing development.

I know that NAHASDA is one of the most effective Federal Indian programs, not perfect, but very successful.

I want to emphasize that this is housing primarily for low-income Indian families.

You're familiar with the--need for certainty which you mentioned in your opening statement and people looking for certainty in so many areas.