Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. McEachin), the ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Mr. McEACHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this resolution to overrule the stream protection rule, just as I would oppose any measure that threatened the quality of our drinking water. Clean drinking water is a fundamental health need, and meeting that need is one of our most basic responsibilities in this Congress. We must not put special interests ahead of the health of our constituents. The stream protection rule is very simple: It strengthens and clarifies existing water quality protections with respect to mining. It requires that affected streams be restored when mining is finished. It gives communities accurate information about water quality so they can best protect themselves from pollution. Mr. Speaker, these protections are not onerous, but their benefits are vast. We have seen in Flint, Michigan, and elsewhere the painful consequences when people lack access to safe drinking water. We must do more to prevent that kind of suffering and damage. Nixing this rule would, instead, mean that we are doing less. The stream protection rule is the product of a careful year's-long process. Countless stakeholders participated at two dozen public meetings, and regulators received tens of thousands of public comments. Mr.…”