On the recordOctober 6, 2011
The gentlelady from California may view this argument about jobs as a false choice, but we do have letters from over 300 organizations concerned about the impact on jobs that these EPA regulations will have, including letters of support from five of the largest labor unions in the country. The gentlelady's amendment would basically say that, in the 10 metropolitan areas chosen by the American Lung Association, the current boiler rules would be retained regardless of what our legislation may do. So we are opposed to her amendment for two reasons. One, we don't want the legislation to be changed because we think it's necessary to have the balanced approach throughout the country and not to exclude 10 metropolitan areas. But the second reason we would be opposed to it is that to allow one private entity--even if it's the American Lung Association, an organization we all have respect for. But we don't think that they should be determining what should be in this legislation. So for that reason, I would respectfully oppose the amendment and ask that the amendment be defeated. I yield back the balance of my time.
