Energy Policy Modernization Act Of 2015

Floor Speech

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Ms. MURKOWSKI. I thank my colleague. Amendment No. 2953 (Purpose: In the nature of a substitute)

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Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, at this time, I call up amendment No. 2953.
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Ms. MURKOWSKI. 2954.
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Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, at this time, we will resume the consideration of S. 2012, which is the Energy Policy Modernization Act. Senator Cantwell and I have had an opportunity to speak, as well as the Senator from Texas, and now the Senator from Wyoming has joined us. He has been a leader on these issues. He sits next to me on the energy committee and has worked on so many of the issues we have contained within this good bill, but the piece on which he has probably been most aggressive and shown his leadership is what we have done to help facilitate the export of our resources with regard to liquefied natural gas.

I am pleased to turn to my colleague from Wyoming.

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Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I know we are waiting for other colleagues to come to the floor to speak to the Energy bill itself or perhaps to offer amendments. I certainly would encourage that, as we are trying to get the process going with the Energy Policy Modernization Act.

Before my colleague from West Virginia leaves the floor, I want to thank him for his leadership on this issue. We have had conversations. I traveled to West Virginia at his invitation to view how West Virginia deals with its energy issues. They have a little bit of everything there in West Virginia, and I was able to see that.

One of the sad stories I learned, though, is what we were seeing in his State as it relates to opioid abuse--OxyContin and meth at that time. Our States share some similarities in that there are very rural characteristics in both West Virginia and Alaska. Even though we are far removed from most of the other States in this country, we are not immune or insulated from what we are seeing with this epidemic of opioid abuse brought on initially by access to prescription drugs and now being replaced in a horrible way with heroin that is impacting our kids, young people, and folks who are ages that would surprise many. It is deeply troubling.

When you use words like ``epidemic'' or ``pandemic,'' those are very strong words, but I think that is what we are seeing in this country, and it is reaching from one end of the country to the other.

I want to acknowledge my colleague for the issues he has raised.

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Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, my colleague from West Virginia is always welcome to come back and learn more.

On the issue of Dr. Califf, let it be known that I, too, have concerns about his nomination, and it has nothing to do with opioids. It has everything to do with fish, and basically what we have referred to as a fake fish, a genetically engineered fish. All this Senator is looking for is an assurance from the FDA that if they are going to put this genetically engineered product out there for human consumption then there should be an appropriate labeling. I do not think that is too much to ask. I have asked for that, and the difficulty is getting folks within the FDA to have a full and important conversation about the import of that. So it is a different issue from what the Senator from West Virginia has discussed, but I think it goes to the issue of needing to have some communication within the FDA.

The FDA is an agency that has considerable authorities, and we in the Congress need to know that we can have a good level of dialogue and discussion going back and forth. I think we have seen a real lack or shortfall, and until I get certain assurances from the FDA as well, I am not planning on removing the hold that I currently have on this nominee, and we will be working with other colleagues on this.

My friend, the Senator from Colorado, has arrived to the floor, and I know he wishes to speak on the Energy Policy Modernization Act. The Senator from Colorado has been a great Member of the U.S. Senate since he came. He was a leader on energy issues when he was over at the House, and he has continued that in a very constructive and robust way. We can talk about energy matters that come from producing States like ours, but a recognition that Senator Gardner's approach is not just that he comes from a fossil-fuel producing State; he is also looking to make sure that we move to a clean energy future. He is also very conscious and considerate about what we do with conservation. His leadership has been greatly appreciated.

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