Sam Farr: “Mr. Chairman, it appears from this discussion that the only thing that Congress fears is fear itself. We are afraid of…”

“Mr. Chairman, it appears from this discussion that the only thing that Congress fears is fear itself. We are afraid of existing law because the existing law is feared by special interests. We fear the cleanup of licensed nuclear facilities. We fear the cleanup of the air in Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, the hazy air. We fear the pesticide manufacturers, who oppose the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act. We fear, as we have heard, New York and New England industries who oppose the dredging as a remediation tool. We fear the utilities, who oppose the regulatory determinations for mercury emissions. Most of all, we seem to fear our very own Environmental Protection Agency and the Council of Environmental Quality. My colleagues, this fear can be conquered. It is very simple. It only requires that we vote in favor of the Waxman amendment.”