Domestic Energy and Jobs Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. ROBY. I thank the gentleman from Colorado.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act.

Oil accounts for 37 percent of U.S. energy demand, with 71 percent directed to fuels that are used in transportation. Our energy policy is vitally important to our national and economic security. It's especially as important to the mother who drives her children to school as it is the business owner who operates a fleet of delivery vehicles. When the price of gasoline increases, Americans hurt.

Last year, the price of gasoline increased 81 cents per gallon. That is why I do support an all-of-the-above approach to energy. This includes opening up new areas for American energy exploration, transitioning to renewable and alternative energy, and using more clean and reliable nuclear.

The President in his last State of the Union stated the same belief, but this administration has done nothing to back up that statement. The executive branch is using the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for political purposes by imposing overburdensome regulations on refineries and placing obstacles to increasing permitting and leasing on Federal lands for gas and oil production.

During this administration, we have seen a drastic decrease of oil production on federally owned lands at a time with high gas prices. From 2010 to 2011, there has been a 14 percent decrease. The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act will enable job creators in the energy industry and increase domestic energy production here at home.

The legislation that is before us today will turn the tide on this administration's actions, or lack thereof, and allow our Nation to move forward on our Nation's energy production, thereby increasing jobs and bringing us closer to energy independence.

I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

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