Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011

Floor Speech

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Mr. RUSH. I thank the gentleman, Mr. Larsen from Washington State, for recognizing me and sharing the time with me. I am here to express my full support for this bill, H.R. 2845, the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011.

Mr. Speaker, this bill represents a bipartisan effort and a good-faith compromise by Members from both sides of the aisle, from multiple committees, and of course across both Chambers of Congress.

During negotiations on the final bill language, I was very fortunate to have Administrator Cynthia Quarterman of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Agency accept my invitation to come out to my State and to discuss pipeline safety with representatives from the Illinois Commerce Commission, as well as with officials from Will County, which accounts for a larger percentage of pipelines than any other county in my home State.

Mr. Speaker, many of the same serious issues regarding pipeline safety that were discussed in these meetings are addressed in this piece of legislation. I am very pleased with the final product.

Mr. Speaker, I also would like to thank Members from both sides of the aisle, chairman emeritus of the full committee and dean of the House, John Dingell; Energy and Commerce Chairman Upton; and Ranking Member Waxman, as well as Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Whitfield, for working with my office to include language that will require a comprehensive report examining the levels of engagement and participation of minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises and contractors involved in the construction and the operations of pipelines in this country.

Additionally, this report will look at the methods for facilitating this type of involvement in order to increase the participation of minorities and women in the very lucrative pipeline industry. This study will be a first step in a process to make sure that the builders and contractors in charge of rebuilding America's aging and expanding pipeline system will represent the variety of groups and businesses that are here in our Nation, including those who are most desperate for jobs and economic opportunity.

I'm pleased to support this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to join with me in voting for it.

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