Political Quotes

“I applaud my colleague and fellow subcommittee chairman on Energy and Commerce for helping bringing H.R. 1900 to the floor. This legislation will help ensure that the key elements of our critical infrastructure will be improved and constructed on a timely and predictable basis. This is a goal we all can and should support. On a closely related subject, I too wanted to associate myself with Chairman Whitfield's recent statement regarding the growing tendency among certain States to engage in obstructionist tactics aimed at key infrastructure projects. In some cases, States have even used federally delegated authority to block federally approved projects. Let me say again that States have used federally delegated authority to block federally approved projects. {time} 0945 The most prominent example is the use of the Clean Water Act to deny otherwise routine permits and approvals. As my colleague suggested, we have legislated on that issue previously, but our clear intent in doing so was frustrated in the court system. It may well be that we may need to address this issue further, and I stand ready to work with my colleague to do so. In other instances, States have tried to use their authority under the Coastal Zone Management Act to impose consistency requirements on federally approved projects, even when those projects have already been found to be consistent with the States' Coastal Management Plan. This is clearly taking a second bite at the apple.…”