David Skaggs: “anyone needing evidence that the Republican Contract on America is a public health accident waiting to happen need only…”

“anyone needing evidence that the Republican Contract on America is a public health accident waiting to happen need only look at a recent study on the effects of air pollution. The news in the study, the most comprehensive ever, is that people who live in the most polluted areas are significantly more likely to die early from respiratory ailments and heart disease. Even here in the Washington area where the air is not that bad, air pollution is likely to steal a year of life from each person. With this information, in a rational world, one would expect the Government to be doing more to be dealing with the air pollution problem. But not under Republican rules. Why do I say that? Well, one of the provisions tucked in the bill that we are going to be debating today would prohibit the EPA from ensuring the inspection of cars in the areas with the most dangerous air pollution. Republicans want to throw out one of the most effective tools we have had in keeping cars from pumping poison into the air. For those who are not already gagging on the Republicans' so-called Contract With America, hold your breath.”