[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  FRACKING BAN WOULD LEAD TO SOCIALISM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, one of the most absurd and destructive plans 
being touted by out-of-touch socialists is a ban on fracking, also 
known as hydraulic fracturing, for natural gas and oil.
  At home in Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, a region that 
on any given day produces up to 10 percent of our Nation's natural gas, 
it is easy to see how the energy economy has benefited everyone. From 
high-paying jobs to lower energy costs, natural gas has been an 
economic win for the American people.
  Even more, thanks to the natural gas boom, America is now energy 
independent. That means great things for our national security, as we 
are no longer beholden to energy-producing nations that hate us.
  Unbelievably, these great benefits are under attack by radical 
socialists who seek to ban fracking and cripple America's energy 
economy.
  According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the plan to end fracking 
would cost more than 600,000 jobs and $261 billion in GDP by 2025, and 
that is just in Pennsylvania.
  This is why I invited the socialists in this Congress and those 
running for President who want to ban fracking to come to 
Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District to face the families they 
wish to leave destitute, to face the families who have finally found 
success, and tell them why they want to take it away.
  For these folks, a ban on fracking would lead to more government 
dependence, lower wages, fewer jobs, and skyrocketing energy prices.
  In other words, banning fracking would pave the road for America to 
become a socialist country. There should be nothing scarier or more 
sickening than that.


                   Congratulating Bucknell University

  Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a little bit of time today to 
congratulate Bucknell University on achieving a great recognition this 
week.
  According to the United States Peace Corps, Bucknell University, 
located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, produces the fourth most Peace 
Corps volunteers of all small colleges and universities nationwide.
  In their 2020 report, the Peace Corps noted Bucknell produced 13 
volunteers for the Peace Corps, an amazing feat for an institution 
whose student body is just over 3,600 students.
  According to its mission statement, ``Bucknell educates students for 
a lifetime of critical thinking and strong leadership characterized by 
continued intellectual exploration, creativity, and imagination.''
  By forming students in that mission, it is no wonder why so many 
Bucknell students find themselves seeking greater service to humanity 
through the Peace Corps.
  In noting the type of schools that make up the list of robust Peace 
Corps volunteers, Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen said: ``These schools 
are institutions that emphasize . . . service-minded students.''
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 12th 
Congressional District, I congratulate Bucknell University and 
President Bravman on this great recognition and on creating service-
minded students.
  'Ray Bucknell.

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