Political Quotes

“During the course of debate in discussing the breadth of the products liability bill, I mentioned that a nuclear power plant or a component part thereof could be included within the purview of the products liability bill. I also stated that maybe the bill might not cover a nuclear power plant or a component part thereof. I, in effect, raise two issues: One being the issue of pain and suffering, and the other being the statute of repose. In regard to these issues, I mention the Chernobyl melt-down. Since that time, my office has been contacted by reliable and informed individuals who feel that I misspoke on this issue. First, they say the difference between design and operation of the United States and Soviet plants make a Chernobyl-style accident virtually impossible. Second, they state that the bill would not in any way prohibit compensation for injured parties in the event of a nuclear accident regardless of the time of the manufacture of the plant or components. They particularly point out that Congress has provided a sure and certain recovery system for any member of the public injured as a result of a nuclear power plant accident--the Price-Anderson Act--and, further, that Congress in 1988 increased the amount of funds available for claims to more than $6.8 billion and pledged to review the situation in the case of an accident where more funds were needed to compensate the injured.”