Political Quotes

“I thank my colleague from New Jersey for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, it is our singular responsibility, as Members of Congress, to protect the health and well-being of the American people. Voting ``yes'' to this legislation would do just the opposite. H.R. 2824 is not only poisonous to our pristine rivers and waterways, but harmful to the health and well- being of the American people. H.R. 2824 is wrong at many levels. First, it seeks to lock in a 2008 Bush administration rule that virtually eliminates the buffer zone protecting streams from mine waste. Just last month, a Federal court ruled that the 2008 rule that this legislation seeks to lock in was unlawful because it risked the federally protected endangered and threatened species. But the problem with this bill isn't limited to just endangered and threatened species. The bill would also violate the purposes and objectives of the Clean Water Act and those of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act to minimize harm from surface mining. These are a few laws and regulations to protect rivers and waterways in our communities and ultimately ensuring public health and well-being. H.R. 2824 is about eliminating our environmental safeguards and deteriorating our public health to provide legal loopholes for private mining companies. The effect of polluted waterways to our communities is catastrophic and costly. This year, we have already witnessed a few incidents.…”