Dave Hobson

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This amendment reduces the funding for the O and M account. This account is already a backlog of critical activities to ensure the safety and operation of existing programs. The amendment places our water resources infrastructure at further risk, and I oppose the amendment and encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I misspoke a little earlier on this amendment. And I will issue a statement correcting the first part that I misspoke before. This activity is part of a biological opinion under the Endangered Species Act. It is not appropriate to legislate this activity on the energy and water development bill. I would really prefer that my colleague would withdraw the amendment. Failing that, I would oppose the amendment and ask my colleagues to vote ``no.'' This is not the appropriate forum for this piece of legislation. I understand the gentleman's concern. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HOBSON. Yes, generally, I do.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton).

Mr. HOBSON. May I inquire how much time I have remaining?

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) for his nice comments, but, unfortunately, I have to oppose his amendment at this time. This amendment, the problem that I have, and I understand your concern, but this would preclude FERC from going forward with its review of the Broadwater Liquefied Natural Gas project on Long Island. This proposed project is the only floating storage and regasification unit that is pending before the commission. This amendment undos the Natural Gas Act for orderly review and decision-making process for energy infrastructure and limits energy development efforts. Further, the amendment restricts the ability of any company to use a fairly novel technological approach to siting LNG away from populated areas. I understand that 9 miles to you is not very far and 11 miles is not far to you. But I think that is what we have this system for, is to allow the system to be fairly looked at and make a determination if they agree. Frankly, all FERC authorizations are still subject to judicial review. I understand the concerns that people have here. There is always the NIMB effect in everything as we look around, and I understand that. But I think the best course of action is allow FERC to consider the application and consider public comments, issue the orders that are best in the public interest, and if people disagree with that, there are still courses open to them. But to start this sort of process in this bill, I think, is inappropriate. I would have to oppose the amendment at this time. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order against the amendment because it proposes to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill and therefore violates clause 2 of rule XXI. The rule states, in pertinent part: An amendment to a general appropriations bill shall not be in order if it changes existing law. The amendment gives affirmative direction, in effect, and, therefore, is legislation on an appropriations bill. I ask for a ruling of the Chair.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. HOBSON. I will accept the time and will just say that I accept the gentleman's amendment and, therefore, yield back any time that I may have.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry) for a colloquy.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker).

Mr. HOBSON. I thank the gentleman for bringing this issue to my attention. I appreciate the important safety and economic justifications for construction of the mooring facility in Columbus. I understand the time limitations related to the plant's opening next year. The gentleman is correct. This bill does contain a moratorium on new starts. However, in the event new starts are taken up in conference, this project will be a priority.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas).

Mr. HOBSON. I thank the gentleman for bringing this issue to my attention. I share your concern about dam safety and expediting the process to take corrective action at Isabella Dam. The corps requires additional studies to identify the exact nature of the problem and to begin fixing, but the time frame could be shortened both through additional funding and expedited procedures. I pledge to work with you to identify ways to provide both funding and procedural expediency and will also talk to the corps.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. HOBSON. I am aware of this situation and will certainly encourage the corps to move this project through the permitting process in an expedited manner to ensure that time is not an obstacle for economic development.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. HOBSON. I thank the gentleman. I want you to know I understand these problems, having spent some time in Florida as I have grandchildren there. We funded the waters. I think I talked to you also about the river and I want to do something about that. I pledge the support of this committee to make the necessary resources available to help with vital issues.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment.