On the recordOctober 5, 2011
I rise in opposition to this amendment offered by the distinguished gentleman from Virginia. I might also add that the last significant change to the Clean Air Act was back in 1990, and I don't think anyone would ever suggest that Congress does not have a right to go back and look at legislation that was passed 21 years ago and that there may be problems with some of that legislation. There is no question that we've benefited from the Clean Air Act, but there is also no question that this administration, this EPA, has been the most aggressive in recent memory. They've been passing some of the most expensive regulations ever adopted by EPA, and it's having an impact on the economy because jobs are being lost as a direct result of many of these regulations. Our bill has directed EPA to protect public health, to balance the economic needs, the jobs needs, all of this, as a part of an overall balanced view of EPA regulations.
