Bill Clinton: “I was pleased today to vote in support of the Edwards-Lieberman amendment, which I was proud to cosponsor with my…”

“I was pleased today to vote in support of the Edwards-Lieberman amendment, which I was proud to cosponsor with my colleague Senator Jeffords and others. Unfortunately, this effort to temporarily halt the Bush administration's weakening of the Clean Air Act was narrowly defeated. Although we were simply trying to obtain an independent, scientific analysis of the impact of these Clean Air Act changes before they went into effect, rather than after, the amendment was opposed by half of the Senate. Just shy of passage, this vote was a very strong showing of bipartisan support of protecting clean air and ensuring healthy communities, and against any backsliding on the Clean Air Act. And it was not by any means the end of this debate. We will not give up this fight to stop any weakening of existing Clean Air Act protections and to ensure that all Americans have clean, healthy air to breathe. Many believe that the Clean Air Act changes the Bush administration has made, and which go into effect in less than 6 weeks, will allow more pollution into our air, not less.”