U.S. House schedule for Wednesday, June 26, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26TH 

On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. First and last votes expected: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

One Minute Speeches

H.Res. 274 - A resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 1613 - Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act, H.R. 2231 - Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, H.R. 2410 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014 (Special Rule, One Hour of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Rob Bishop / Rules Committee) 

H.R. 1864 - To amend title 10, United States Code, to require an Inspector General Investigation of allegations of retaliatory personnel actions taken in response to making protected communications regarding sexual assault (Suspension, 40 minutes of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Jackie Walorski / Armed Services Committee)

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY 

Budget Committee hearing on “America’s Energy Revolution: A New Path to Jobs and Economic Growth” (Wednesday, June 26th, at 10:00 a.m.)

Printable PDF

Energy poll at Washington Examiner

The Washington Examiner has an energy poll with some interesting results. Well, maybe the results are to be expected since the WaEx is primarily a conservative online newspaper.

The question: "Should the US subsidize solar and wind energy?"

The results:

- Yes 6%
- No 93%
- Not sure 1%

Go on over and take the poll yourself.

Goodlatte reintroduces legislation to open Va's OCS for oil and gas exploration

On Tuesday Representatives Bob Goodlatte reintroduced the “Virginia Access to Energy Act.” This important legislation allows for the exploration of natural gas and crude oil in Virginia’s waters of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The legislation requires the Department of Interior, at the request of Virginia’s governor, to proceed with the Virginia lease sale no later than one year after passage of this legislation.

For many years the Commonwealth of Virginia has seriously been considering the potential positive impact that OCS development off Virginia’s coast would have on the Commonwealth. In fact, there has been wide support for environmentally responsible energy production by the Governor of Virginia, the Virginia General Assembly and by many local governments in the Commonwealth.

“Every day, folks across Virginia and the nation are confronted with the rising cost of energy, from the cost at the pump to soaring electric bills,” said Congressman Goodlatte. “I believe that Virginia should have every tool available to access its energy supplies. The ‘Virginia Access to Energy Act’ will create a path for Virginia to become ‘the Energy Capital of the East Coast.’”

It has been estimated by the U.S. Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service that Virginia’s OCS has 130 million barrels of recoverable oil and 1.14 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas. This translates into a significant boost to the economy of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In fact, some estimates have shown that development of Virginia’s OCS will create over 2,500 full-time equivalent positions on an annual basis, induce capital investment of $7.8 billion, yield nearly $645 million in direct and indirect payroll, and result in over $270 million in state and local taxes.

“There is a clear link between our willingness to tap American energy resources with job creation and national security,” said Congressman Scott Rigell, a lead cosponsor of the Virginia Access to Energy Act. “It is essential that we move forward with a comprehensive strategy that provides energy independence and I commend Congressman Goodlatte for introducing this legislation.”

The “Virginia Access to Energy Act” authorizes that all revenue generated from extraction of these resources may be shared evenly with the state and federal government, with the federal share going to reduce to the national debt. The Commonwealth’s share will be used to fund various state projects at the discretion of the state government.


Representatives Rob Wittman (VA-1), Scott Rigell (VA-2), Randy Forbes (VA-4), Robert Hurt (VA-5), Morgan Griffith (VA-9), and Frank Wolf (VA-10) joined Rep. Goodlatte as original cosponsors of the legislation, which has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources for further consideration.

Goodlatte continued, “Virginians understand that a major component in lessening energy costs is to produce more energy. In addition to helping us become energy independent, this legislation will help create thousands of jobs for Virginians and infuse the Commonwealth with new capital growth.”

To move America toward energy independence we need a comprehensive and strategic plan that increases the supply, security and diversity of American energy, promotes conservation and puts real alternative fuel sources in the hands of consumers to lower costs. We must lift the moratorium on drilling along the Outer Continental Shelf and open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling, potentially producing nearly a million barrels of oil a day. We must diversify our energy supplies with alternative sources, including renewable fuels and wind, solar and hydrogen power. But we must do so without the government mandates and subsidies that are today driving up the cost of food and animal feed due to producing ethanol from corn. We should develop a renewable policy where the government incentivizes the development of new technologies but does not mandate the use of any particular fuel like corn-based ethanol which drives up food costs for consumers. Finally we should encourage the production of more nuclear power which provides CO2 emission-free energy.

Accessing energy and creating jobs for Virginians

By Congressman Bob Goodlatte

For many years the Commonwealth of Virginia has seriously been considering the potential positive impact that oil and gas exploration off Virginia’s coast would have on our state. Just two years ago, it seemed that Virginia would be able to take this first step toward energy independence, when Congress removed the hurdles that had previously blocked access to the energy resources located on the Outer Continental Shelf, also known as the OCS. However, since that point, Virginia has been confronted with a series of regulatory road blocks despite the strong support for a VA lease sale to begin OCS development by the Virginia Congressional Delegation, the Governor, the Virginia General Assembly, and the citizens of Virginia.

For this reason, I recently introduced legislation, with the support of a bipartisan group of Members of Congress from Virginia, that requires the Department of Interior, at the request of Virginia’s governor, to proceed with the Virginia lease sale no later than one year after passage of this legislation. My legislation, the ‘Virginia Access to Energy Act’ will remove any regulatory hurdles that may impede development and create a path for Virginia to become ‘the Energy Capital of the East Coast.’

In addition to setting Virginia on the path to energy independence, passage of my legislation and development of VA’s OCS will significantly boost the economy of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In fact, some estimates have shown that development of Virginia’s OCS will create over 2,500 full-time equivalent positions on an annual basis, induce capital investment of $7.8 billion, yield nearly $645 million in direct and indirect payroll, and result in over $270 million in state and local taxes.

While exploration activities alone will infuse the Virginia economy with a significant amount of new capital, this legislation will also authorize any qualified revenues generated by the lease sales to be shared between the federal government and the Commonwealth of Virginia for such things as federal deficit reduction, and various state projects including education, transportation, tax reductions, coastal and environmental restoration, energy infrastructure and projects, alternative energy development, and energy efficiency and conservation.

Virginians understand that a major component in lessening energy costs is to produce more energy. My legislation, the Virginia Access to Energy Act, is an important component to any long-term strategy to reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil. Most importantly the legislation ensures that Virginia has every tool available to access its energy supplies, while at the same time creating thousands of jobs for Virginians and infusing the Commonwealth with new capital growth.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

McDonnell calls for offshore drilling

“... it is time to develop our offshore energy resources to create new jobs and provide necessary new revenue for schools, roads, public safety and alternative energy research and development in Virginia.” -- Virginia Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell

This is following through on a way to make Virginia energy independent.

Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell expressed his continued strong support of offshore energy exploration and development off the coast of Virginia in a letter sent to United States Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar this past Wednesday. In the letter, McDonnell cautioned against any further delay in the Virginia offshore lease sale scheduled for 2011, and presented the Secretary with the position of his incoming Administration on the issue. The text of the Governor-elect’s full letter is below.

December 23, 2009

The Honorable Ken Salazar
Secretary of the Interior
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington DC 20240

Dear Secretary Salazar,

Last month I had the honor of being elected Governor of Virginia commencing January 16, 2010. A key priority for us here in Virginia is the development of the full range of energy resources, both traditional and renewable, to foster energy independence, national security and economic development.

More than fifteen months have passed since the United States Congress allowed the federal moratorium on exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources off the Atlantic Coast to expire, and President Bush repealed a similar executive order banning such action. This cleared the way for Virginia to be the first state on the Atlantic seaboard to explore and drill beginning in 2011. Virginia is eager to get started. Nearly a year ago the public comment period for the potential lease sale offshore Virginia (Lease Sale 220) ended. Unfortunately it appears that virtually no progress has been made at the federal level to get this process rolling.

I am requesting that Virginia remain in the current five-year plan and that the federal administrative process move forward with Lease Sale 220 immediately. Any effort to remove or delay Virginia’s participation in the lease sale would significantly hamper our efforts to create jobs, eliminate much-needed new revenue, and undermine support for President Obama’s stated commitment to make the United States more energy secure.

The opportunity to explore and develop oil and natural gas resources off the coast of Virginia, miles out of sight from our beaches in an environmentally sound manner, is timely for both our nation and our Commonwealth. Like every other state, Virginia is struggling with the high unemployment that accompanies the current tough economic environment. Some parts of our state have an unemployment rate as high as 19 percent. Additionally, America needs secure and diverse energy sources that do not leave us dependent on foreign governments adverse to our national interests.

A 2005 study by a former president at Old Dominion University forecast that offshore natural gas production alone off of the Atlantic coast near Virginia would, over a 10-year period, likely create at least 2,578 new jobs, induce capital investment of $7.84 billion, yield $644 million in direct and indirect payroll, and result in $271 million in state and local taxes. The study also estimated that there could be up to 500 million barrels of oil in this lease area – enough to fuel all four million cars in Virginia for more than four years.

These economic projections, combined with tremendous technological advancements that have transformed the offshore oil and natural gas industry and make exploration and development environmentally sound, make it clear that there is no reasonable basis for further delays in beginning the leasing process. The Gulf States have been safely exploring and drilling for oil and natural gas for years, and have done so safely despite hurricanes passing over the platforms in the Gulf.

Additionally, it is critically important as a matter of equity that the Commonwealth receive the same royalties, rentals, and bonus bid payments as do all the other states which currently allow energy exploration and production off of their coasts. I implore you to work with Congressional leaders, as I will, for passage of legislation to ensure that Virginia participates in a fair and equitable distribution of future offshore revenues.

Offshore energy exploration and production will be a priority in my administration. I would like to work with you and the President to make Virginia an international leader in offshore energy exploration and production on the Atlantic coast. It is important for both our Commonwealth and our country. We also intend to aggressively pursue offshore renewable energy sources such as wind farms, and will be asking for your assistance at that appropriate time.

I ask you today to do everything in your power to ensure Lease Sale 220 stays on schedule, including the prompt completion of an environmental impact statement and the processing of all other administrative steps necessary for holding the lease sale in 2011. I am aware of several major energy companies that are ready to bid for the leasehold rights, generating hundreds of millions of dollars for the state and federal governments. Virginia stands ready to help address America’s energy needs while creating badly needed good-paying jobs for our citizens.

Mr. Secretary, it is time to develop our offshore energy resources to create new jobs and provide necessary new revenue for schools, roads, public safety and alternative energy research and development in Virginia. I respectfully request that you direct the U.S. Minerals Management Service to expedite its preparatory work in support of the lease sale in 2011. The leasing process should not be further delayed.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I am committed to working with you as we move forward with this tremendous opportunity for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America.

With warm personal regards, I remain

Sincerely,

Robert F. McDonnell

George Allen on the radio this week

Governor George Allen will talk energy, health care and other topics on a number of radio interviews this week.

Wednesday, December 16:
- At 8:35 am ET, Governor Allen will join Fred Grandy and Andy Parks live on the “Grandy and Andy Morning Show” on WMAL 630-AM, Washington D.C. Go to www.wmal.com to Listen Live.

Thursday, December 17:
- At 7:00 am ET, Governor Allen will appear on “Joe Thomas in the Morning” on WCHV 94.1-FM, Charlottesville, VA.

- At 8:00 am ET, Governor Allen will join Jimmy Barrett live on “Richmond’s Morning News” on WRVA 1140-AM, Richmond, VA. Go to www.wrva.com to Listen Live.

- At 5:05 pm ET, Governor Allen will join Steve Malzberg live on “The Steve Malzberg Show” on WOR 710-AM, New York, NY. Go to www.wor.com to Listen Live.

Friday, December 18:
- At 5:05 pm ET, Governor Allen will join Tony Mercurio live on his weekly appearance on “The Tony Mercurio Show” on ESPN 94.1-FM, Hampton Roads, VA.

Tuesday phone conference update:
Also, in case you missed it, on Tuesday afternoon Governor Allen participated in a press conference-call about health care, sponsored by the Republican Party of Virginia, which you can read about here:

- Richmond Times-Dispatch
- Washinton Post
- Hampton Roads blog
- SWAC Girl blog

-- From the office of George Allen

Gov. Allen joins Laura Ingraham today

Gov. George Allen continues his busy schedule today as he joins Laura Ingraham live in the studio this morning for her nationally syndicated "The Laura Ingraham Show" at 10:15 a.m. ET to discuss a wide range of topics. Join in and hear what is sure to be a lively discussion between two leading conservatives.

George Allen to talk energy, Copenhagen Conference on radio Thursday

George Allen, Chairman of the American Energy Freedom Center, will talk energy, the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, and the EPA’s "Endangerment Finding" on two live radio appearances Thursday, December 10:

At 8:00 am ET, he’ll be on nationally syndicated “America’s Morning News” with Melanie Morgan (of Move America Forward) and John McCaslin. Go to www.talk570.com to listen live.

At 10:30 am ET, he’ll be on “The Greg Garrison Show” on WIBC 93.1-FM, Indianapolis, IN. Go to www.wibc.com to listen live.

I'm inclined to agree ...

... with Norm.

Americans For Prosperity urges you to contact Joe Biden

Senator Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, has done it again! He put his foot in his mouth when he recently told an environmentalist in Ohio that America doesn’t need coal plants! Poor Senator Biden didn't know he was being filmed. Luckily however, he was filmed and his comments have sparked outrage throughout Virginia. From those who would lose their jobs in Southwest Virginia to the Virginia families whose energy bills would increase without the benefit of coal plants, many have come forward to voice their concerns.

I am writing you today to ask you to call 1-877-850-2008 or e-mail Senator Biden today and let him know that his careless words could have a DEVASTATING effect on Virginia's working families. Tell Senator Biden we don't need his environmental alarmism here in Virginia.

Below, are the comments we released to the press yesterday concerning this matter. I thought they would be of interest to you.

Senator Biden’s comments can be viewed here.

Sincerely,


Benjamin Marchi
State Director
Americans for Prosperity-Virginia


Free-Market Citizen Group Says Biden’s “No Coal for America” Approach
Would Result in Lost Jobs, Even Higher Energy Prices

For Immediate Release – September 24, 2008
Contact Ben Marchi, (804) 380-9240

Biden is putting extremist environmental ideology ahead of jobs for Virginians

RICHMOND – The Virginia chapter of the free-market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP) today called U.S. Senator Joe Biden’s pledge of “No coal plants here in America!” out of touch with the concerns of average Virginians. Video footage surfaced today that showed Senator Biden telling an environmentalist he wants “no coal plants here in America.” This comment was a complete “about-face” from comments Sen. Biden made at the United Mine Workers Fish Fry just days ago in Castlewood, VA where he praised the possibilities of coal.

AFP Virginia Director Ben Marchi issued the following statement:

“Senator Biden’s scorn for domestic, coal-generated power isn’t felt or understood by the folks who rely on it to power their homes and businesses and keep Virginia’s economy strong.

“Sen. Biden told folks in Southwest Virginia just days ago that ‘Only people from coal country truly know what it means to have to get back up.’ Based on Sen. Biden’s promise of no coal plants in America, the hard working citizens of Southwest Virginia will be scraping themselves back up if he has his way.

“Right now Virginia’s families are concerned about the economic downturn and whether they’ll be able to continue to make ends meet with high energy prices. Expanding domestic energy production – not limiting it – is the commonsense approach to lowering energy prices.

“Senator Biden’s categorical opposition to coal-based energy is disturbing to say the least since such an approach would eliminate badly needed jobs from a place we can’t afford to lose them. The coal industry is a vital part of Virginia’s economy as well as to all of Appalachia, from Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio down through East Tennessee.

“Virginians aren’t about to be fooled by slick political rhetoric. They understand that higher energy taxes and more regulation are bad for our struggling economy. Making energy more expensive so Americans use less might be music to the ears of global warming alarmists, but it has no place in our nation’s energy policy.”

AFP has been activating citizens in support of policies that will lower energy prices by increasing American supplies and making domestic production less expensive. The centerpiece of the group’s grassroots campaign is a coast-to-coast hot air balloon tour to expose the hot air in the global warming and energy debates.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

McCain: Congress needs to cut summer break to talk oil

Drill here. Drill now. Pay less.

It won't go away no matter how much Nancy Pelosi and Democrats try to avoid the issue. Americans want energy issues addressed sooner rather than later ... we're been waiting for years already.

While Republican representatives continue their sit-in at the U.S. Capitol, inviting tourists to join them on the House floor as they continue their demand that Speaker Pelosi come back to D.C. to handle the energy crisis, Republican presidential candidate John McCain also has urged Congress to reconvene.

Barack Obama is on vacation in Hawaii. Nancy Pelosi is on vacation. Republicans are watching out for America as Republicans including House Speaker Newt Gingrich continue to call for Democrats to return to D.C. and take care of the people's business.

Americans are speaking ... and Republicans are listening:

The message might be resonating with voters across the country. A majority of Americans now say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports offshore drilling, according to a new USA Today/Gallup Poll.

Democrats have been the roadblock for years. In 1995 an energy package was passed by Congress and sent to the president's desk where it was vetoed by Bill Clinton. That was 13 years ago ... look where we would be now if that bill has passed.

Drill here. Drill now. Pay less.

Sign Bob Goodlatte's energy petition

So you're tired of paying high prices for gasoline? Wait until winter when heating costs knock you for a loop. Many in the Valley heat with propane gas which is predicted to double in cost from last year's prices. Ouch.

Want to do something about it? Sign Congressman Bob Goodlatte's energy petition. Here it is:

Energy prices are soaring and Virginia families are feeling the impact from the gas pump to the grocery store. Skyrocketing energy prices and dependence on foreign sources of energy pose a grave threat to our nation’s security and economic stability.

Gaining our independence from foreign sources of energy requires bipartisan cooperation and the recognition that our economy’s lifeblood remains tied to traditional sources of energy, most notably oil, natural gas and clean coal. Just as the energy crisis we face has not emerged overnight, we must recognize that solutions will be found both in the short term with traditional energy sources and conservation, and in the long term with new technology, new fuels, and the uniquely American ingenuity.

Our government must pursue policies that foster increased production of vast oil and natural gas reserves here in the United States in places like ANWR, the large oil shale fields of Colorado and Utah, and the deep ocean fields off our coasts. This includes developing new refineries and clean coal plants. These traditional sources can be supplemented with U.S. produced fuels like bio-diesel and non-subsidized ethanol, and by harnessing the power of wind and solar energy, and increasing our use of nuclear power.

With a diverse, affordable energy portfolio, our economy will remain vibrant and Americans will continue to enjoy the uniquely American freedom of choice, opportunity and quality of life we’ve always enjoyed while our economy transitions to the fuels and technologies of the future.

President Bush recently signed an executive order lifting a 27-year old federal ban on offshore drilling. I commend the President for this action which is overwhelmingly supported by the American people. Democrats in Congress must now follow the President’s lead.

Please join me in calling on the Democratic leadership in Congress to heed the will of the American people and cooperate with the President and Republicans to address our energy crisis. Just as talk of levying excessive taxes on oil companies and posturing about nationalizing the oil industry won’t produce an additional drop of gasoline, election year rhetoric and obstruction won’t help the millions of Americans struggling with high gas prices. Americans need solutions, not rhetoric. Those solutions are waiting to be tapped. Energy independence begins here.

Go here to sign the petition to start taking action to lower energy costs.

Goodlatte: "Striving for Energy Independence"

By Congressman Bob Goodlatte

As we approach the height of the summer travel season, families must factor in a much higher cost for gasoline. It is becoming evident that many families are being forced to either cancel their summer travel plans or at the very least limit much of their activity to an area closer to home. With every passing day, as gasoline surpasses $4 a gallon, our dangerous dependence on foreign oil grows more and more apparent.

While there is no easy fix to rising gasoline prices, we must focus our efforts on developing a comprehensive solution to increasing energy supplies and encouraging cleaner, more efficient energy use. Our reliance on imported energy did not come about overnight, and it will take time to reverse. Many Americans don't know that the U.S. is the world's largest energy producer. Over the past 25 years we have pumped 67 billion barrels of oil, and strong reserves remain. The fact is the oil is there - in Alaska, the Rockies, and offshore - but political roadblocks keep it in the ground instead of in your gas tank.

I am a strong supporter of legislation which would modernize the nation’s energy policy by tapping into more of our massive energy resources located in the deep seas on the outer-continental shelf (OCS). This important legislation gives coastal states the power to decide if they would like to pursue energy production 50 miles off the coast of their state, and gives the federal government the ability to produce energy 100 miles off coastal lands. The legislation also makes the U.S. competitive in the global development of energy sources. Currently, the U.S. is the only developed nation in the world that forbids safe energy production on its OCS, a fact that has put us at a severe disadvantage in the global marketplace.

Additionally, I am a strong supporter of and have many times votes for legislation that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, known as ANWR, to energy exploration. According to estimates by the U.S. Geological Survey, ANWR holds between 5.7 and 16 billion barrels of recoverable reserves, potentially producing nearly a million barrels of oil a day. Exploration and development in ANWR would open only 2,000 of the 19 million acres of the refuge, or the equivalent of an area one-fifth the size of Dulles Airport in an area the size of South Carolina.

In addition to environmentally sound oil and natural gas production, we must expand production of electricity for nuclear power. We must also increase the performance of existing renewable research and focus on those areas that offer the greatest ability to tap or expand these new sources of energy. It is only through a comprehensive energy policy based on exploration, innovation, and conservation, that we can grow our economy, create quality jobs, and make America stronger.

Cross-posted at SixtyFour81