View From the Capitol - Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler's Newsletter for the Week of November 18-22, 2013
Good Day,
This week, the U.S. House took important steps to secure America’s energy future, approving three common sense bills promoting widely shared energy policy goals.
The Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Act - H.R. 1965 - combines several bills aimed at expanding offshore energy production as well as streamlining government roadblocks and bureaucratic red tape that block and delay American energy production and job creation. The bill would reform the leasing process for oil and natural gas projects on federal lands to eliminate unnecessary delays. Additionally, it would ensure funds are available for efficient wind and solar permitting.
The Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act – H.R. 2728 – will help promote American jobs and energy creation by limiting regulations from the Administration on hydraulic fracturing, a process used to extract oil and natural gas. The legislation prohibits the Interior Department from enforcing hydraulic fracturing regulations in any state that already has regulations and recognizes states’ authority to regulate this type of activity. How important is this form of energy extraction? According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. holds more than half of the world’s oil shale resources – six times Saudi Arabia’s proven resources and enough to provide the United States with energy for the next 200 years. A 2012 report from the economic consulting firm HIS Global Insight found unconventional shale oil and gas alone support more than 1.7 million jobs, which is expected to increase to 3 million jobs as soon as 2020. The fact is that increased energy production will result in lower energy prices and cost savings through less expensive goods and services.
The Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act – H.R. 1900 – is a bipartisan effort to expedite the federal review process for natural gas pipeline permit applications. It amends the Natural Gas Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve or deny a permit application for a natural gas pipeline project within 12 months of the filing of that application. Furthermore, it will require the agency responsible for issuing a federal license or permit to take action within 90 days of FERC issuing its final environmental document regarding a project. Currently, energy producers are waiting an average of 307 days for permits to drill on approved federal lands. Compare this to the 12-15 days to get permits for drilling on approved state lands. There is no reason for these lengthy delays.
The House took action this week to make your federal government more accountable by addressing those disturbing videos we have seen of IRS employees partying in lavish surroundings on the taxpayers’ dime. The Digital Accountability and Transparency (DATA) Act of 2013 – H.R. 2061 – establishes government-wide data standards for the Treasury Department regarding federal expenditures. Specifically, the legislation sets limits and transparency for conference and travel spending by federal employees. This bill prohibits federal agencies from paying for the travel expenses for more than 50 employees of that agency to attend any international conference unless the attendance is in the national interest. Lastly, at the beginning of each quarter, federal agencies will be required to post a report on each conference that costs more than $10,000 for which the agency paid travel expenses during the preceding three months – with agencies prohibited from spending more than $500,000 to support any single conference.
In an area of great concern, you might have heard reports that the Obama Administration is close to an agreement to suspend sanctions against Iran in exchange for a six-month freeze of Iranian enrichment activities. The simple truth is that it was implementation of economic sanctions that brought Iran to the negotiating table in the first place. Relieving sanctions without a guarantee that Iran will end its nuclear program is foolish. The U.S. must not rush into any deal without first guaranteeing the security of America and its allies in the region – particularly Israel. All indications are that Iran has no intention of halting its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The United States must maintain robust sanctions until Iran is ready to change course.
Our office continues to hear stories from citizens of Missouri’s Fourth District regarding the negative impact of President Obama’s health care law. I shared some of their stories in a video this week that urges the Senate to take up and pass House-approved legislation that would allow citizens across the country to keep their health plans. A link to that video is included in this week’s newsletter.
On another matter, I was honored this week to have been presented the 2013 ALOT Agricultural Leader of the Year award. ALOT – Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow - is a two-year leadership program, attracting Missouri adults from across the state, representing rural and urban areas, full-time farmers and agribusinesses, media, and financial representatives.
It means a great deal to me to be honored by this group as ALOT’s mission is to provide leadership experiences that will make a positive difference to the future of agriculture and rural communities in Missouri and beyond. As a lifelong farmer who now serves on the House Agriculture Committee, I am committed to promoting agriculture in Missouri and throughout our country. I look forward to updating you on Congress’ biggest agricultural responsibility, passing a Farm Bill, and sharing with you that negotiators from the House and Senate worked this week to reach agreement on this critical legislation to maintain America’s safe, affordable, and plentiful food supply.
Have a great week.
Vicky