Political Quotes

“And my colleagues, I oppose this amendment. It would make a terrible bill even worse. Our Nation's environmental laws are founded on cooperative federalism. This is how it works: The Federal Government sets minimum standards to assure that every American has a basic level of protection so no one is forced to breathe dirty air or drink dirty water. Then the States decide how to meet those standards, or set stronger standards if they choose. The States also implement the programs they adopt. Finally, if a State fails to act, EPA can step in and do the job itself. This approach has worked well for over 40 years. It means that there is a healthy give-and-take between the States and the Environmental Protection Agency. The States receive Federal funds, and they run their own programs. But EPA has the tools to encourage the States to do more, where necessary. Before Congress adopted the Clean Air Act in 1970 and the Clean Water Act in 1972, both signed by President Nixon, it was up to the States to control pollution. The problem was that many of them didn't do it. We had rivers catch on fire, smog so thick you couldn't see nearby mountains, and a tremendous toll on public health and lives. It wasn't that States didn't want to clean up pollution, but if there are no minimum standards, States are forced into a race to the bottom.…”