House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) issued the following statement regarding Senate adoption of an amendment to HR 527, the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act.

“In April, the House acted in a bipartisan, near unanimous fashion to pass comprehensive legislation to prevent an immediate helium shortage and reform the federal helium program to get the best return for taxpayers. Today’s action by the Senate to pass a bill reflecting their priorities is another important step. There has been a strong, bipartisan commitment to working together in both the House and Senate to reform the federal helium program, and it is important that this commitment continue now so a final agreement and solution is enacted into law very soon. Differences in deficit reduction and spending will need to be resolved – and I think this can be accomplished. Just as important as reaching an agreement is ensuring no disruption to the helium supply, on which there is widespread agreement, so there should be no doubt that no helium cliff will occur on October 1st.”

On April 26, 2013 the House of Representatives passed H.R. 527, the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act by a vote of 394-1.

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