Senate Proceeding 09-22-09 on Sep 22nd, 2009 :: 0:30:10 to 0:38:20
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0:30:10 to 0:30:30( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: at it's a good amendment. mr accept it, if you'd like to unanimously -- the presiding officer: is there further debate? if not, the question is on the amendment of all knows in favor say aye. all opposed, no. the ayes appear to have it.

0:30:10 to 0:38:20( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John Barrasso

0:30:31 to 0:30:55( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: the ayes have it. mr. barrasso: mr. the presiding officer: the senator from wming. mr. barrasso: mr. president, i'd like to thank the chair. i'd like to thank senator alexander for their gracious acceptance of this amendment and the chamber, the resounding voice vote in support of the amendment. thank you very much, mr. chairman. mr. chairman, i also

0:30:56 to 0:31:19( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: amendment number 2472, and i wish to speak on thatmendment at this time. mrs. feinstein: excuse me, are you calling up that amendment? mr. barrasso: not at this point, mr. president. mr. president, i have serious concerns about the recent interior secretarial order number 3289.

0:31:20 to 0:31:40( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: this order will i incooperate climate change into all decisions at the department of interior. although i commend the secretary for attempting to address this issue, i think we are putting the cart before the horse. sweeping recommendations are being proposed by the secretary of the interior. these regulations put into

0:31:41 to 0:32:03( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: question the future and past land management agreements regarding oil and gas development, renewable energy development, recreational use, and wildlife protection. under these rules, a dark cloud is placed over all existing agreements regarding these activities. in addition, all pending decisions regarding both energy development and recreational use

0:32:04 to 0:32:25( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: will also be put on hold indefinitely. all this will occur through regulations that did not have the approval or the consent of the american people. i would ask my colleagues, no matter where you stand on the issue of climate change, to vote for this amendment. we need to get the order right. first, a climate change bill

0:32:26 to 0:32:47( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: that has the public's approval. and then after that is voted upon and if approved, let the regulatory process at the agency level begin. that is what you are vietnamin that is what you're voting on if you vote for this amendment. so i urge adoption of the amendment at a point when it is called up. nonetheless, i have also filed

0:32:48 to 0:33:10( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: amendment number 2473, and i will also speak on that at this time. that amendment would prevent the environmental protection agency's endangerment finding from going into effect. going into effect until the p.a. grants the u.s. chamber of commerce's petition to have an on-the-record trial-like hearing on the

0:33:11 to 0:33:32( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: behind the e.p.a.'s endangerment finding. the chamber petitioned the e.p.a. for a trial-like hearing on the scientific data behind the endangerment finding before an administrative judge or e.p.a. official. the chamber stated in their petion that -- quote -- "an endangerment finding wld give rise to the most far-reaching

0:33:33 to 0:33:54( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: rule making in american history." it goes that long, costly process, the e.p.a. ought to do everything possible to assure the american people of the ultimate scientific accuracy of its decision." that's the end of the quote. the on-the-record proceeding would be a great opportunity for

0:33:55 to 0:34:16( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: e.p.a. to ensure transparency. this administration claims to be the most transparent administration in history. what better opportunity to democrat trait this than -- to demonstrate this than by authorizing the petition. the administration proeding is allowed by law. it will be a short, on-the-record proceeding. and to deny this request is an

0:34:17 to 0:34:38( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: admission by the e.p.a. that their work on endangerment can't stand scrutiny. this should be a concern for all americans, and at this point i would like to actually move on to another amendment to discuss, mr. president. i have filed amendment number 2474. i'd like to speak on it at this time.

0:34:39 to 0:35:01( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: this amendment would require the environmental protection agency inspector general to complete an investigation into the treatment of dr. alan carlin by his superiors at the environmental protection agency. under this amendment, the endangerment finding could not proceed until the investigation is

0:35:02 to 0:35:23( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: dr. alan carlin and at colleague prepared a 98-page analysis arguing that the e.p.a. should -- quote -- "take another look at the e.p.a.'s scientific data behind the endangerment finding that carbon dioxide is a threat to public health." according to a report by kimberly strssel of the "wall street journal" be, a senior

0:35:24 to 0:35:44( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: official suppressed this account of the most up-to-date science on climate change. these reports raise serious questions about the process behind and the substance of the e.p.a.'s proposed findings that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. on august 21, inside washington

0:35:45 to 0:36:05( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: publishers reported that the e.p.a. is considering scrapping the national center for environmental economic's role in scientific analysis. this would essentially eliminate the e.p.a. office that dr. carlin has worked in for years. in an editorial in "the washington times," the paper

0:36:06 to 0:36:27( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: stated -- quote -- "this amendment to marginalize a true whistle-blower smacks of indiana is carte and its implications for economic and environmental policy are dangerous." close quote. this is an administration, mr. president, that claims to put a premium on transparency and openness.

0:36:28 to 0:36:51( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: their action to dateave demonstrated neither. my colleague, senator thune, has requested an inspector general investigation into this matter. now, i believe the investigation should be conducted and completed before the e.p.a. proceeds further with endangerment. so, mr. president, at this time i wish to set aside the pending business and call up amendment

0:36:52 to 0:37:13( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: number 2474. the presiding officer: the objection is heard. mr. barrasso: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from wyoming. mr. barrasso: thank you, mr. president. i'm very concerned about what i'm seeing here today. my effort in offering this amendment is to promote transparency and good government.

0:37:14 to 0:37:34( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: dr. carlin, a 38-year veteran of the e.p.a. wrote about the e.p.aendangerment. he pointed out the scientific data that they are relying on is three years old. the e.p.a. tried to quash his report. dr. carlin's boss warned him to drop the subject altogether.

0:37:35 to 0:37:56( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: he was told -- quote -- "with the endangerment finding nearly fine acialg you need to move to other issues and subjects. i don't want you to spend any additional e.p.a. time or -- on climate change. no papers, no research, at least until we see what e.p.a. is going to do with climate."

0:37:57 to 0:38:17( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: mr. carlin was ordered not to have any direct communication with anyone outside his small group on e.p.a. on the topic of climate change and was informed that his report would not be shared with the agency group working on that very topic. to not even allow the senate to have a vote to decide whether to investigate this matter really looks like political expediency, mr. president.

0:38:18 to 0:38:22( Edit History Discussion )

John Barrasso: it's wrong, and it should concern all of those who claim