“And opening the 10-02 area – using those high standards, the world’s highest standards, with the most advanced technology – will produce more American energy for the betterment of my state, my constituents, but for the whole country.
“Mr. President, we’re on the cusp of passing a bill that would put more money in the hands of the middle class, grow our economy, and fulfill a 40-year-long dream for Alaska. The might of America has always been and will always be in the ingenuity of our people, the ability for Americans to make decisions for themselves – to live their lives as they see fit, to build, to grow to make a better tomorrow for the next generation.
“The American dream does not have a price tag, but it can be stymied. It can be stymied and stunted by an overbearing federal government that wants to hinder the freedom of the individual, an overbearing federal government that crushes economic hope, and opportunity through over taxation or over regulation, and it does this by telling someone like Matthew Rexford – from a small village more than 5000 miles from here – that he and his people can’t make a better life for themselves and for their children by developing resources on their own land. Mr. President, that’s going to end tonight.
“At long last that’s going to change and the vast majority of Alaskans – Democrats and Republicans, native and non-native – are going to celebrate. And I believe when the American people realize and experience the positive benefits of this bill – through stronger economic growth, better jobs, more take home pay – they’re going to celebrate too. I urge my colleagues to vote for this historic legislation.”
– Sen. Dan Sullivan, speaking in favor of tax reform and unlocking ANWR, late Tuesday night in the U.S. Senate
