Norman Mineta: “I rise in strong support of Mr. Towns' amendment. I believe that this amendment addresses a glaring flaw in H.R. 5 as it…”

“I rise in strong support of Mr. Towns' amendment. I believe that this amendment addresses a glaring flaw in H.R. 5 as it is now written. The flaw is that the bill, without the Towns amendment, could deprive our constituents of the protection they may need against significant impacts on their health and safety which emanates beyond their borders, and therefore is beyond the control of their State and local governments. H.R. 5 could strip from our constituents these basic protections, by making it more difficult for the Federal Government to perform its fundamental function of protecting the health and safety of our citizens. While there is room for legitimate difference of opinion as to the appropriate functions of the Federal, State, and local governments in many arenas, I believe that with respect to at least one matter this issue is well settled: That the Federal Government does have a role in protecting citizens downstream States from serious health impacts caused by pollution from upstream States and localities. Water pollution knows no political boundaries.”