[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 733]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    ENERGY POLICY MODERNIZATION BILL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the last time a broad energy bill was 
signed into law was back in 2007. It may as well have been a lifetime 
ago as far as America's energy situation is concerned. While we were 
once living in an era of energy scarcity, we are now living in an era 
of higher energy production and lower technology costs. It is change 
that represents many opportunities but also challenges--aging 
infrastructure, bureaucratic hurdles, outdated policies, and needless 
redtape. These are the kinds of challenges we will need to address if 
we want to support America's rise as one of the world's preeminent 
energy superpowers and if we want to support the accompanying potential 
for jobs, for growth, and for increased energy independence. That is 
why the Senate is considering the Energy Policy Modernization Act. It 
is broad, bipartisan legislation that will modernize our energy 
policies to keep pace with a changing world. It will help Americans 
produce more energy. It will help Americans pay less for energy. It 
will help Americans save energy.
  This bipartisan bill builds on technological progress in order to 
strengthen and sustain America's energy advances while protecting our 
environment at the same time, all without raising taxes or adding to 
the deficit. It is the latest reminder of what is possible with 
cooperation in this Senate.
  A huge majority of the Senate energy committee supported the bill 
when it came to a vote. The top Republican on the committee supported 
it and the top Democrat on the committee supported it. They are the 
managers of this bill today. They have worked with Members of both 
parties and have lined up amendments already. They are working with 
Members of both parties to schedule even more. If you have an amendment 
you would like considered, please work with them. Let's get this 
process moving. Let's get this bill passed so we can support more jobs, 
more growth, and more energy independence for our country.

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