Political Quotes

“I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, this bill, again, while we appreciate the open amendment process, will need an open amendment process to correct because it's so highly flawed in its current form. It serves as the majority's vehicle for a whole series of anti- environment, anti-public interest riders. These riders undercut the Clean Water Act, putting at risk public health and increasing economic burdens on local communities. The bill prevents the Army Corps of Engineers from applying anti- pollution protections to many rivers, streams and wetlands that supply drinking water and prevent flooding. Over 100 million Americans get their drinking water from public supplies provided in whole or in part from waters that are at risk of losing Clean Water Act safeguards under this bill as written. Furthermore, the committee report language that accompanies the bill contains even more explicit policy directives, including the mandate that what was to be an independent advisory board on the safety of shale gas drilling be dominated by industry representatives, which would be a prime example of the fox guarding the chicken coop. Unconventional shale gas has been expanding into new areas at a breakneck pace and has been accompanied by growing health and pollution problems experienced by residents and communities when the drilling is taking place in close proximity to where families are living.…”