William Bryan: “I have tried purposely to keep the focus on the issues, but I must say that my friend from Idaho has spoken and my…”

“I have tried purposely to keep the focus on the issues, but I must say that my friend from Idaho has spoken and my friend from Wyoming has just spoken, and they obviously reach a different conclusion as to the urgency of the need than does the scientific community, which has specifically rejected the need. Let me say with great respect to them, if they disagree, they have the right under the law to volunteer their States as sites for interim storage. That is permissible. I find some irony in the fact they are eager to have it come to us in Nevada and yet suggest that their own State would not be available. There is another irony. Late last week, another letter was circulated that raised some concerns about the interstate shipment of trash, and this letter goes on to say, in part: It is important that Congress pass interstate legislation this year. Cities and towns all across the Nation are being forced to take trash from other States. Many States have tried to restrict the shipments. The letter goes on to say: But every time they do, they have been challenged in court and their laws have been overturned as a violation of the commerce clause of the Constitution. It is clear that States cannot protect themselves, their residents or their land from being spoiled by out-of-State waste. We need Federal legislation to empower States and communities with the authority to manage solid waste within their borders.”