Political Quotes

“I thank my distinguished colleague from California for his remarks, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, since 1984, the EPA has lowered the amount of pollutants from diesel engines by more than 98 percent. Since 1980, despite the fact that the gross domestic product has grown by over 460 percent, vehicle miles have increased by 94 percent, the population has grown 38 percent, energy production 32 percent, emissions have gone down 50 percent. In regard to the impact of these programs, you have 14 programs that the GAO has identified as overlapping. It will do little harm to the overall effort for air quality to eliminate one program that is clearly a duplication in several instances identified by the GAO. In addition, Mr. Chairman, in regard to air quality, while air quality has improved dramatically--emissions are down 50 percent since 1980--respiratory illnesses such as asthma have gone up, and that is largely a byproduct of income. So I would commend to you that we need to reduce the number of regulations, the cost of regulations, to allow more economic activity and provide better job opportunities for people, which will have a direct impact on their overall welfare, including their health. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.”