Dianne Feinstein: “I do not quite know what to do. I would very much like to have a vote on this matter. I have tried to importune the…”

“I do not quite know what to do. I would very much like to have a vote on this matter. I have tried to importune the conferees. I am told the Governor of California, Mr. Schwarzenegger, now inducted as Governor, has indicated his support for the removal of this amendment. It is my understanding that a whole panoply of States oppose this provision. It is clear to me this is a bad thing. It is clear to me this is going to set back the cause of clean air. It is clear to me this is going to impact youngsters and the elderly with asthma and other lung diseases. It is clear to me that it is going to impact our transportation dollars. It is clear to me that by 2010, because of one company, California is going to have deal with 70 additional tons of smog per day. None of this needs to happen. I regret that I cannot send an amendment to the desk. I regret I am not being allowed a vote on the amendment. But this is the wrong thing to do.”