Porter Goss: “Mr. Speaker, the Democrat leadership is not starting out the year on the right foot. Rather than demonstrating to the…”

“Mr. Speaker, the Democrat leadership is not starting out the year on the right foot. Rather than demonstrating to the American people that the House of Representatives is a body of open debate and free thinking, they are bringing a modified closed rule on H.R. 3425 to the floor, limiting debate on one of the first pieces of legislation of the session. Why are they doing this? Well, it seems they are afraid that a certain amendment that has widespread support throughout the country-- but does not quite coincide with their particular philosophical views-- would likely pass if brought up in the House. It is the Mica amendment, which would require a cost-benefit analysis to accompany regulations proposed by the EPA. Despite the fact that it was passed in the other body by a vote of 95-3, the House is not even being permitted to consider it. The Mica amendment is very timely in light of the fact that just yesterday the EPA announced its plan to develop a national strategy for the use of chlorine and chlorine compounds.”