Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and their constituents to discuss the once-in-a-generation impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Leader Scalise introduced his constituent, Paul Danos, the owner and CEO of a family-owned offshore energy service company in Southeast Louisiana, to explain how unleashing American energy in this bill will provide the predictability needed to create jobs, lower prices, and ensure energy security for the United States and our allies. Additionally, Leader Scalise highlighted President Trump’s decisive action against Iran’s nuclear program.
  
On President Trump defending America from Iran’s nuclear weapons program:

“Well, over the weekend, we saw President Trump take strong and decisive action to ensure that Iran does not any longer have a nuclear weapons program. Not only did the President work with our allies in the region, of course, working very closely with Israel, but the President defended America again. Let's not forget, the Ayatollah and many others in his leadership structure have been chanting ‘Death to America’ for years as they tried to get a nuclear weapon under previous presidents who let this build and build for decades, and the world knew one day it had to be confronted. But the President didn't just take that strong and decisive action. Under the War Powers Resolution, in compliance with that law, he notified Congress within 48 hours of the actions that were taken. And hopefully, that's as far as it's going to go. The President announced yesterday that there is now a ceasefire. Again, peace through strength – they're not just words. They have to be actions that a President of the United States who is strong and bold, and decisive is willing to take those steps to keep America safe. And I think most people in the civilized world know that a nuclear-armed Iran is not just bad for America, but it's bad for other countries all around the world.”

On the political violence in Minnesota:

“Now, we've got another busy week here in Washington. Today, we're going to be debating the resolution to condemn the political violence in Minnesota. I think you'll see a very strong bipartisan message being sent by Congress that political violence is never acceptable. And you see the actions over the weekend with the state representative and her husband, who were brutally murdered, the senator who was nearly killed. We keep all of them in our prayers and their families. But we know that justice will prevail. And ultimately, in America, we need to be united when we say that political violence is never the answer.”

On protecting Americans from violent illegal immigrants:

“We're going to also bring more legislation to protect Americans from illegals who come here and commit violence against our constituents. Somebody gets a DUI while they're here illegally. I saw this in my own district, where you had an illegal who came about eight times the legal limit and murdered an 18-year-old girl and her boyfriend. And he was fine, but they are no longer with us. And we see this every day in communities all across the country. We've given President Trump some tools in law, like the Laken Riley Act, to keep us safe from people who come here illegally and commit violent acts against our citizens. This will be one more of those tools.

“Of course, Friday, we're going to have a vote to stand up for our ICE agents and for law enforcement in Los Angeles and other communities who are trying to keep us safe in the face of these violent riots, like the LA riots that you're seeing. That will be Friday.”

On the One Big Beautiful Bill:

“Of course, the overarching focus has been on the One Big Beautiful Bill. The Senate finally has the legislation. They're moving forward. We've continued up here to talk about so many great things that this will do to get our economy back on track, to put more money in the pockets of hardworking families through so many provisions like certainty in the tax code, ensuring that you don't have a massive tax increase that would hit lower and middle-income families, no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, the ability to have bonus depreciation, some of the other things that would bring investment into this country. 

“We also have so many other provisions. Border security, of course, is one. But energy security is a big component of this bill to allow America to continue producing more oil, so we don't have to be dependent on foreign countries, so world markets aren't worried about an action Iran might take. When you saw them talking about shutting off the Strait of Hormuz, you really didn't see much of a change in oil prices because America and our allies can now pick up the slack because you have a President Donald Trump who wants to open up more American energy opportunities, and so do our friends around the world. And in this bill, we have a number of provisions to do that. 

“But rather than me talk about those provisions – and I love the great work that South Louisiana is involved in in so many different fronts at producing energy for the rest of the country and the world – I am proud to have one of my constituents, Paul Danos, whose family for three generations has been involved in the energy industry. He knows just what it takes to produce American energy and the challenges that can be posed if Congress and the White House don't get it right, and what opportunities we have ahead for our country if we do get it right. That great leader is my friend Paul Danos.”

Paul Danos’ remarks:

“Thank you, Leader Scalise, for having me here today, for that introduction. Good morning, everyone. My name is Paul Danos. I am CEO and one of the owners of Danos. We are a 78-year-old, third-generation family-owned and managed energy services firm headquartered down in Southeast Louisiana. We provide frontline workforce that enables companies to explore, produce, and develop the energy in the Gulf of America.

“I'm honored to share with you the positive impact that this bill will have on family-run businesses in our areas and our employees around the country, and how critical this bill is for American energy dominance. I'm honored to represent so many hardworking people that provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy to our country. My grandfather, Allen Danos Sr., he took a risk. He had a dream in 1947 to create jobs for his community, prosperity for his community, and security for our nation. But during the previous administration, that sort of innovation and spirit were stifled. Oil and gas leases were canceled. They were nullified and altogether stopped. This bill is a lifeline for American energy and restores the predictability that businesses like ours need to invest and to grow. Predictability keeps capital flowing. And when capital flows, companies like Danos can invest in equipment and jobs, and people and technology at home.

“You see, offshore projects take years to build. They're multi-billion-dollar investments, and without clarity and consistency with lease sales, businesses can't make the long-term investment decisions that are needed to grow their workforce and acquire equipment. So when lease sales stall or disappear, that doesn't just cause a pause in our business. Those opportunities can vanish. So when that happens, good-paying jobs across the Gulf Coast and really around the country, because the supply chain throughout the country supports our energy in the Gulf of America. And that American energy and security is jeopardized. 

“So this bill will help to restore American energy dominance. It'll make everyday goods less expensive, and it'll create jobs to secure America's energy future. And we know that energy security is national security. The more energy we can produce at home, the more that we can help our allies abroad to make sure that they aren't relying on hostile nations to get their energy. The Gulf of America is critical to America's energy, economy, and security. When Congress gets energy policy right, companies like Danos can do what we do best: deliver safe, reliable, affordable American energy. I want to thank the Congress and President Trump for making good energy policy a priority in this legislation.”

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