Political Quotes

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the amendment I am offering today would strengthen this bill by ensuring that we maintain an opportunity for State and community input even as we seek to streamline the permitting process, as this bill attempts to do. My amendment would simply allow the EPA administrator to provide additional 30-day extensions if the administrator determines that such time is necessary to provide adequate time for public participation and sufficient involvement by affected States. Mr. Chairman, input by those most affected by drilling is a vital and necessary part of the permitting process. There was a time not too long ago when my Republican colleagues valued local participation and States' rights; and now that they are in the majority, they are attempting to strip away the power of States and the power of local communities to even participate in the decisions that will affect them the most. As Representative of the people, I do not believe that it makes sense for us to legislate away the ability of our citizens to comment on drilling decisions that will impact their health, impact their livelihoods, impact their well-being. I also don't think that our constituents will buy into the argument put forth by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that we must make it easier for all companies to drill and also take away the public's ability to comment, even while they say this is for the public's own benefit. It's ludicrous.…”