American Energy Solutions For Lower Costs and More Ameerican Jobs Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, today we are considering once again a range of bills to give away public resources to Big Oil, strip environmental and public health protections, and prioritize drilling over all other uses, including recreation and conservation, on federal lands.

Let's look at the facts. Oil and gas production has reached near historic highs in the United States. Our dependence on foreign oil has dropped from 57 percent in 2008 to 29 percent today. The provisions in this bill--which would block the proposed carbon standard to protect public health, order federal agencies to pretend that climate change has no impact on our communities, and limit oversight on drilling projects on federal lands--will not improve our energy security. They will endanger our health and resources.

There is nothing new in today's debate. This package includes the same old ideas that the Majority has been pushing, without result, since 2011. Rather than working together for the American people, they are recycling the same partisan agenda. Our constituents deserve better. I urge a no vote.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source