Hilda L. Solis: “I rise to support the Hastings amendment. California law, back in 1996, we passed this particular amendment, and I…”

“I rise to support the Hastings amendment. California law, back in 1996, we passed this particular amendment, and I carried that bill. It was one of the first in this country. Now there are 29 States that are enforcing this. Under the energy bill, this provision is necessary because they will be able to put refineries, be able to go onto Native Americans lands, they will be able to go into communities of color, in low-income communities like mine that are underserved right now, that have many, many egregious projects that are there that are polluting our waters, and making our life, I think, a health hazard. This is the wrong direction to go in with the energy bill. We need to support this amendment for environmental justice when right now, under the Bush administration, 33 percent of EJ moneys have been cut. {time} 1500 The Acting CHAIRMAN (Mr. Simpson). The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) has 2 minutes remaining.”