Xavier Becerra: “in this debate one point bears repeating. What we are really doing here is signing on the dotted line before reading the…”

“in this debate one point bears repeating. What we are really doing here is signing on the dotted line before reading the actual terms and conditions of the document. We are being told to do something in this House that no prudent family would do in its own home. The majority party is insisting that we race through this legislation, but, in doing so, the institution is closing its eyes to the many pitfalls and unanswered questions in this bill. I ask, ``Who doesn't agree with the general idea that sparing State and local governments from costly, unreasonable mandates is the thing to do?'' We all agree, but the problem here is that this bill before us is filled with all sorts of unintended consequences. Before we make final decisions, we ought to know in detail what this bill really means to America's people and its communities. Are we placing consumer protections in jeopardy? What about measures that have safeguarded our environment, the Clean Water Act, our child protection laws, our laws protecting senior citizens against age discrimination? What will happen to these laws? Before we get any work done on this bill, we should ask ourselves, Do we really know what it's all about? I urge a ``no'' vote on this rule.”