Senate Proceeding on Jul 23rd, 2008 :: 3:25:24 to 3:31:39
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3:25:11 to 3:25:24( Edit History Discussion )

Thad Cochran: technologies have developed to the point that we can produce that energy and protect the environment at the same time. and we need to -- to gut it up and approve it. approve expanded exploration

3:25:24 to 3:25:39( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: and production from our own resources. the gulf of mexico is a huge reserve, has a huge reserve of untapped resources. we need to use that too. senate republicans are not interested in structuring votes

3:25:24 to 3:31:39( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Roger F. Wicker

3:25:39 to 3:25:53( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: designed for failure and designed for political cover. this issue is too important to blame for our collective lack of accomplishment. we now need to address this vital issue. energy and gas prices

3:25:53 to 3:26:11( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: should not be politicized and we're not going to walk away and give up on this debate. we're here to stay andta to fight. mr. wicker: m r. president, this, is an immediate problem. and it deserves medial

3:26:11 to 3:26:21( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: and comprehensive attention. last week i sent a letter to senate leaders, the majority leader and minoritery leader to say that we should not leave washington for the annual august work period without

3:26:21 to 3:26:35( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: passing energy legislation that will make a true difference for the american people. there is no more important action that this body should be taking than to address this issue with pragmatic

3:26:35 to 3:26:51( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: solutions to the problem. this is a critical time. and this is an important debate. the most important debate that we could have as elected officials. i'm encouraged, mr. president, p to hear that

3:26:51 to 3:27:10( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: there are bipartisan discussions going on even as we speak to adopt solutions on which we can all agree. i know that a -- a bill that i would craft might not receive a majority vote in the united states

3:27:10 to 3:27:24( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: senate. but there are common solutions that i believe a majority of us can and must agree on. the time to act is now. we have -- may i ask, how much time remains in the 10 minutes that have been

3:27:24 to 3:27:34( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: allotted? the presiding officer: the senator has consumed his 10 minutes. mr. wicker: if i might continue to speak. i see we have no one who is -- who has asked to speak at this time. and when another

3:27:34 to 3:27:53( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: speaker arrives, mr. president, i will be happy to yield at that point. the presiding officer: without objection, the senator may continue. mr. wicker: thank you, mr. president. as i mentioned in

3:27:53 to 3:28:07( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: my introductory remarks, this is an economic security issue. but it's also a national security issue. last week the "los angeles times" reported that the pentagon will spend 16 -- $16 -- -- $16.4

3:28:07 to 3:28:18( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: billion on fuel this year. $16.4 billion as compared to to $5.2 billion in 2003. the cost of fuel for our national security has gone up that much. this is a major concern for our military. they're

3:28:18 to 3:28:38( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: having to budget for ongoing missions in iraq and afghanistan and all of the areas around the world in which we are engaged. that same article in the "l.a. times" mentioned another important point

3:28:38 to 3:28:54( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: about the need to adopt alternative fuel sources now more than ever. the air force, a branch where i served for some four years, and longer than that in the reserve, the air force is already researching

3:28:54 to 3:29:09( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: th e use of coal to liquid for its fighter jets. their goal is to have half of the planes burning coal-based fuels by the year 2016, a substance which we have in abundance in the united states of america.

3:29:09 to 3:29:25( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: and at these record price, commercial carriers are beginning to follow suit. the federal government should encourage and incentivize the ventures doing research on coal to liquid. congress has an opportunity

3:29:25 to 3:29:58( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: to be proactive. we can choose to boost our economy by producing more energy domestically and i'm proud to join my republican colleagues in a clear message, which i i think also states an obvious truth,

3:29:58 to 3:30:16( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: we need to find more resources and we need to use less.b!y~ho ~>@?$3{_ ?uf{yy0w y?'pf {xx well as using less in conservation and alternative fuel methods here in the united states. both senator cochran and

3:30:16 to 3:30:35( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: i are cosponsors of this legislation. it's my hope that we can work togetherth across ptisan aisles to come up with a solution for americans. we don't need political games. we don't need to have a -- a limited

3:30:35 to 3:30:58( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: structural legislative vehicle that allows our side only one vote on one proposal, which probably can't pass in -- in its current form, allows one side -- one vote on the democratic side, a legislative

3:30:58 to 3:31:15( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: proposal that will also probably not ever see its way to the statute books. we need to do something about this problem. and this year and this few remaining days of this legislative session comprise

3:31:15 to 3:31:28( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: the time to act. and i am happy at this point to yield back and thank the chair for his indulgence. the presiding officer: the senator fr new mexico. mr. domenici: what is the parliamentary situation?

3:31:28 to 3:31:39( Edit History Discussion )

Roger F. Wicker: the presid ing officer: the senator -- the republican side controls 2 minutes and 40 seconds. mr. domenici: i was a bit late arriving and i would -- and skilled for ten minutes, that i be allotted ten

3:31:39 to 3:31:57( Edit History Discussion )

Pete Domenici: minutes at this time. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection, so ordered. mr. domenici: thank you, mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from new mexico is recognized.

3:31:39 to 3:44:56( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Pete Domenici