Political Quotes

“I thank the ranking member of the full committee, and I commend him on his outstanding work not only on this particular matter but in most of the issues that come before this Congress as it relates to not only the purpose of us but the prosperity of the American people. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong, strong opposition to this bill, H.R. 2681. I call it the Dirty Cement Pollution Bill. Let's be perfectly clear, Mr. Chairman. This bill, this measure is not about jobs. For the chairman of the subcommittee, and my friend, just to try to persuade Members of this body that this is about jobs, I think that it's the worst kind of politics. Jobs now is the useful canard, but this is not about jobs. This is about an industry that is singular in its being eliminated or being not under the auspices of the Clean Air Act, and about an industry that is unique because it doesn't have to adhere to any of the provisions of the Clean Air Act. And it's about time that this industry be included with other industries in this Nation to come under the auspices, the jurisdiction, and the standards of the Clean Air Act. Cement kilns emit nearly 8 tons of mercury each year, making them the Nation's second-largest mercury emitting source. Before the EPA issued its 2010 air toxics rule, these emissions remained essentially unrestrained due to the lack of controls for cement kilns regulating the release of mercury into the atmosphere. H.R.…”