[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 101 (Thursday, June 26, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   LOWERING GASOLINE PRICES TO FUEL AN AMERICA THAT WORKS ACT OF 2014

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2014

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4899) to 
     lower gasoline prices for the American family by increasing 
     domestic onshore and offshore energy exploration and 
     production, to streamline and improve onshore and offshore 
     energy permitting and administration, and for other purposes:

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, in the absence of fresh ideas for the 
American people, the Republican majority is turning back to old ones 
and repackaging legislation that has already passed the House for 
another vote. It may have a nice name, but this bill contains the same 
unnecessary, irresponsible giveaways to Big Oil at the expense of 
American taxpayers.
  Today's bill would dramatically expand drilling on public lands and 
offshore, limiting public input into those lease sales and prioritizing 
drilling above all other uses, including hunting, fishing, and 
recreation. It undermines the existing procedures that ensure safe and 
responsible operations, effectively giving oil companies a blank check 
without appropriate safeguards.
  This bill is unnecessary. Oil production in the United States is 
already at a 25-year high and net oil imports are at a 29-year low. We 
are already the world's top natural gas producer. This bill will not 
reduce energy prices or increase energy security. We should not give 
away our taxpayer-owned natural resources to already-profitable big oil 
companies. I urge a no vote.

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