Political Quotes

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, recent peer-reviewed scientific studies suggest that mountaintop mining is associated with higher cancer risk and elevated birth defect rates and many other health problems in Appalachian coal mining communities. Rates of cancer and birth defects are much higher, and with direct links to mountaintop mining practices, than the national average and even higher than in areas with traditional coal mining. Is this really what the rest of us are being asked to subsidize at the cost of our own States and our health? If we want to debate mountaintop mining, let's do it--and there are pros and cons, legitimate issues and stalking horses as well--but we don't want to hurt the rest of the States in that process. This bill throws into question a balance between State and Federal authority that has served the American people well for 30 years. {time} 1250 Why should the rest of us, once again, pay the price for a gain of a few coal mining companies or of a few factory farms when most Americans would prefer that we protect the Chesapeake Bay and the Everglades? Oklahoma continues to battle Arkansas over water pollution from poultry farms, which starts in Arkansas and flows into Oklahoma. Why are we voting on a bill that would let Arkansas decide the fate of Oklahoma's waters?…”