Brian Mast: “I would like to ask a question of this body. I would like every Member of this body to think about this: What would you…”

“I would like to ask a question of this body. I would like every Member of this body to think about this: What would you do if one of your neighbors each and every day was taking their garbage and throwing it over your fence into your yard? What would you do if that were the case? In the case of my community, it is not just the garbage of neighboring communities that enters its way into our community, it is toxic water pollution. So if somebody throwing garbage over your fence would infuriate you as an individual, then I would ask you to imagine how you would feel if your neighbor was knowingly poisoning the kids in your backyard, your children? I don't think that I know of words. I don't think I know of a four- letter word that would describe this for me. I don't know of an emoji that I could text anybody. I don't know an emotion that I could use to adequately describe the feeling of having my community poisoned, knowingly and willingly, year after year after year. Now, the World Health Organization says that any amount greater than 10 parts per billion microcystin algae is poison for humans and that it causes everything from nausea to liver disease. That is a pretty broad spectrum. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection just reported that the level released into our waters is more than 150 parts per billion. Let me say that one more time. The World Health Organization said that anything greater than 10 parts per billion is poison.…”