February 8, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H587 the unborn. But this isn’t about abor- H.R. 3548, THE NORTH AMERICAN diately and could transport more than tion. This isn’t a question of when life ENERGY ACCESS ACT 1 million barrels of oil per day from begins. This is about the fundamental The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Canada and the Bakken shale forma- rights of all , as spelled out Chair recognizes the gentleman from tion in North Dakota and Montana to in our founding documents. And this Mississippi (Mr. HARPER) for 5 minutes. gulf coast refineries. decision by the Obama administration Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, yester- With the ability to transport that is a devastating blow against the free- day, in an effort to create American amount of friendly oil from our largest dom of religion. jobs and move energy supply from a trading partner and neighbor to the friendly trading partner to the United north, Canada, as well as domestic oil, It’s one thing for the Federal Govern- States gulf coast, the House Energy and with the ability to create an addi- ment to try to take over our health and Commerce Committee favorably tional estimated 100,000 jobs over the care system, and we can all debate the reported H.R. 3548 to the full House. lifetime of the pipeline, it’s no wonder merits of such legislation. But I think H.R. 3548, the North American Energy why the American public supports Key- we can all agree, no matter on what Access Act, would end a waiting game stone XL. At a time when unemploy- side of the aisle we stand, that the that has lasted for over 3 years by ment and prices at the pump are high right to freely express our religious be- pushing forward approval of the Key- and new predictions say gasoline could liefs—and, more importantly, not have stone XL pipeline. top $4 this year, it’s no wonder that the other beliefs forced upon us—is a core In his State of the Union speech 2 American public was disappointed in value of this country. It is nonnego- weeks ago, the President promised to the President’s decision. tiable. significantly expand production of oil In a recent installment of the United Technologies/National Journal Con- Good people of all faiths should be and natural gas from offshore and on- shore public lands. gressional Connection poll, Americans outraged by this decision. If this ad- surveyed were asked: Supporters of the ministration can trample on the beliefs b 1120 pipeline say it will ease America’s de- and rights of the American Catholics, Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, pendence on Mideast oil and create those of other religions should ask, are he never mentioned his decision to re- jobs. Opponents fear the environmental we next? ject the Keystone XL pipeline. impact of building a pipeline. What Yesterday, I read in The New York While the President’s comments about you—do you support or oppose Times that legal scholars say the about expanding oil and gas production building the Keystone XL pipeline? American Constitution is old and out- in the U.S. were welcome news to Sixty-four percent of the respondents dated, that it isn’t relevant in the mod- many, I’m not sure how many people favored the construction of Keystone ern world. Now, as this administration took his pledge seriously given his de- XL and only 22 percent were opposed. cision on Keystone XL. I am hopeful ignores our most treasured values—not Mr. Speaker, Keystone XL makes that the President will follow through religious values, but American values— sense. It means jobs, energy security, on expanding production. I just wish he our Constitution could not be more rel- and satisfaction for the American pub- would have helped our country reduce evant. The first words of the American lic. The President made a political de- our dependence on Middle Eastern oil cision to pander to his extreme envi- Bill of Rights are: Congress shall make while creating tens of thousands of jobs ronmentalist supporters in a campaign no law respecting an establishment of here in America by approving the pipe- year instead of listening to the major- religion, or prohibiting the free exer- line application. ity of the American public, and that cise thereof. The President’s excuse for not ap- was unfortunate. They’re first, and they’re first for a proving the pipeline application was I think that House Republicans are reason. The United States of America that he didn’t have enough time. Rad- making it well known that the fight has long been a place of religious free- ical environmentalists say that tar for Keystone XL is not over. Support in dom. It’s one of the things that sepa- sands crude is the dirtiest of all, and the House to move the pipeline forward rates us from foreign countries. Just as they talk as if that’s something for- has been bipartisan, very public, and the Federal Government should not en- eign, something new. Mr. Speaker, I’d very well received by the American dorse a religion, it should not punish a like to point your attention to a Fri- people. As of yesterday, that support religion, either. All religions must be day, February 3, 2012 article on the has produced a bill to push Keystone treated equally. They must be re- front page of the National Journal, an XL forward. I look forward to con- spected. That’s the American way. article that I believe shows the fal- tinuing my commitment to jobs, en- Today, Catholics all across the United lacies in the arguments against the ergy security, and the building of the pipeline. The article states that ‘‘de- States feel like outsiders. They feel as Keystone XL pipeline. spite environmental opposition, the if their government has betrayed them. f Obama administration has approved a Catholic leaders, including three controversial oil-sands pipeline.’’ WE ARE OUR BROTHERS’ AND bishops that lead Catholics in my dis- The article refers to an oil-sands SISTERS’ KEEPER trict, have clearly said they cannot and pipeline approved by the administra- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The will not comply with this unjust deci- tion over 2 years ago. On August 20, Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from sion by the Obama administration. No 2009, Secretary of State Clinton ap- (Ms. JACKSON LEE) for 5 minutes. one should have to choose between proved a 1,000-mile pipeline with the Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Thank their God and their government. And capacity to carry 800,000 barrels of oil you very much, Mr. Speaker, for giving no one, especially a government found- from Canada’s oil sands to Wisconsin. us an opportunity to share some cru- ed on religious freedom, should force Mr. Speaker, if a pipeline that closely cial human catastrophes that are oc- them to. mirrors that of the proposed Keystone curring around the world. XL was good enough for the President I’m challenging all of my colleagues The decision by this administration in August of 2009, why is the Keystone and those who would listen that some- to make Catholics violate their most XL pipeline not good enough for him in times we are, in fact, through peaceful basic principles is a violation of the an election year? If time and the envi- means, our brothers’ and sisters’ keep- most basic American principle. I ronment were reasons to deny Key- er. First, as we have seen the ascending strongly condemn the Obama adminis- stone XL in January 2012, they should violence occur in Syria, a nation-state tration for this outrageous overreach have had the same reasons to deny the that I have visited, bloodshed that has of Federal authority; and I strongly en- Canada-Wisconsin pipeline in 2009. included the loss of women and chil- courage the administration to rescind Keystone XL is a shovel-ready con- dren, hearing news reports where citi- this unfair, un-American policy. If the struction project that doesn’t need a zens of Syria are begging for someone Obama administration can take away stimulus bill to get it started. Esti- to do something, it is almost as if you this most basic American value for 80 mates show that the project could cre- came out of your house and stood by as million Catholics, who’s next? ate 20,000 construction jobs imme- your neighbor’s house burned. We know

VerDate Mar 15 2010 00:58 Feb 09, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4636 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08FE7.017 H08FEPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H588 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 8, 2012 in America many would try to get a in Iran. Let us make no political state- RECESS garden hose, others call 911; but they ment about this. These are Americans. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- do something because of the horror of We want them out; we want them out ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair what they’re seeing. now. But the idea is that there must be declares the House in recess until noon Constantly, our media airwaves are some responsible leadership in Egypt today. being beat with the sounds of gunshots, to recognize that spoiling or ending the Accordingly (at 11 o’clock and 32 smoke and devastation and a steadfast alliance between Egypt and the United minutes a.m.), the House stood in re- refusal of Dr. Assad to step down. His States is not worth this petty action. cess. first representation was that these So I ask for , Mr. f were al Qaeda and terrorists, and we Speaker, and Egyptian Americans to need to listen to him. There is a gen- go to my Web site, SHEILA JACKSON b 1200 eral respect for the sovereignty of a na- LEE—you can find it. Let me know AFTER RECESS tion. And I’m not one pushing the im- what you want to do and how you’re The recess having expired, the House mediate attack by the United States. going to support the efforts of making was called to order by the Speaker at The American people have spoken on peace or having peace in Syria and sav- noon. their cautiousness—our soldiers and ing our fellow Americans in Egypt. their treasure are precious. But just as Now is the time. It is no time for lan- f I was with a number of our men and guishing in fear. PRAYER women this past Saturday who had f Reverend Dr. David Anderson, Faith been to Iraq or Afghanistan or are pre- b 1130 Baptist Church, Sarasota, , of- pared to go elsewhere, our soldiers are fered the following prayer: always prepared to defend the needs of THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE Our gracious Heavenly Father, we people who cannot help themselves. LOOKING FOR MORE THAN TALK come before You with thanksgiving But I call upon today the recognition and praise for Your protection of and that the United Nations has to fix The SPEAKER pro tempore. The blessings on our Nation. We thank You itself. For as a consensus was coming Chair recognizes the gentleman from for Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness together for the right approach—pos- Pennsylvania (Mr. THOMPSON) for 5 of our national transgressions, and we sibly U.N. troops to maintain the minutes. trust You to lead us into righteousness. peace, as was done in places on the con- Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. We ask You to enable the men and tinent of Africa—who raises their self- Mr. Speaker, last month we heard some women of the House of Representatives ish voices? Two countries, China and productive talk from the President to faithfully carry out their duties and Russia, veto the consensus of many to during his State of the Union Address. the purposes of Your will. Empower try and help these people who are in His acknowledgement that we need in- them with wisdom, courage, and com- need—children and women dying in the creased domestic production of oil and passion. Grant them the character to streets, not able to live in peace. natural gas was quite promising. Or, withstand the temptations of power So I believe that those who had an maybe his commitment ‘‘to fight ob- and privilege, and bring them wise idea need to go back to the Security struction with action.’’ Those types of counselors and friends to help them do Council. They need to make sure that words are always welcome in this what is right. Give them wisdom and we know that the U.N. is the entity Chamber. Unfortunately, the Presi- make them true statesmen. that it was crafted to be in the late dent’s action, or lack thereof, con- We ask You to bless their families 1940s, the voice of reason, the ability to tinues to fall short of the rhetoric. and shelter them from the political step in. They need to pressure these Mr. Speaker, there continues to be a fallout of unpopular decisions. Fill two, in essence, outlanders—those who great divide between the words in the their homes with love, hope, and faith. want to stand out of the circle of care speech the President delivers and his Restore our Nation’s historic faith just because of selfish reasons of oil— actual actions or leadership. Despite a that we might pray ‘‘God bless Amer- to get out of the way or be part of the pledged commitment to energy secu- ica’’ with integrity. We ask these team. rity, this administration has worked to I believe it is important as well, as counter attempts at making America’s things in the name of our Lord and we look at Libya and its quietness now, energy future more secure. Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. working quietly to try and restructure. The President’s denial of the Key- Many people fought against that. I was stone XL pipeline, which has the poten- f delighted to be with a number of my tial to create thousands of jobs and add THE JOURNAL to our energy security, is just the lat- colleagues, the first Members of the The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- est example. Between the energy re- United States Congress to go stand in ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- sources that would be provided by a front of the Libyan Embassy and say ceedings and announces to the House constructed, completed Keystone pipe- Qadhafi must go. Sometimes you have his approval thereof. line and the domestic natural gas fields to step out of the circle of comfort. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- I ask Syrian Americans to stand up in the United States that are in pro- nal stands approved. and be heard. Go to the United Nations; duction right now, we could shut off ask that your countrymen be safe. Let the valve of dependency on f us hear your voices. Likewise, I ask for oil. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Egyptian Americans—we have been al- In the House, we’ve advanced dozens The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman of bills to expand domestic resource lies with Egypt for a long time, and I from New York (Mr. HIGGINS) come for- am trying to understand the tension or production and encourage new job cre- ward and lead the House in the Pledge confusion between governments. But ation, almost all of which have been of Allegiance. my point is, this is a government-to- denied consideration by the Senate. Mr. HIGGINS led the Pledge of Alle- government issue. Let my people go. With any hope, the President will giance as follows: Let the Americans go. You can find no meet his commitment to fight obstruc- I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the basis that they have intently, with in- tion with action by calling on the Sen- United States of America, and to the Repub- tent, done anything that deserves that ate to work with the House on these lic for which it stands, one nation under God, they are, one, indicted and, two, can- important initiatives. With almost 2 indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. not travel out of the Egyptian bound- million more Americans out of work f aries. I call upon Egyptian Americans since taking office, the American peo- to rise up and be heard, for our alliance ple are looking for more than just talk. WELCOMING REVEREND DR. DAVID is better than a few Americans. Mr. Speaker, the American people ANDERSON I take great issue with Republican are looking for things that they’ve not The SPEAKER. Without objection, Presidential politics trying to claim seen in Washington: leadership by the the gentleman from Florida (Mr. this is the same thing as the hostages President and action by the Senate. BUCHANAN) is recognized for 1 minute.

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