Political Quotes

“Let me again clarify. The ranking member's comments, while clearly concerning, do not apply to this amendment. Mr. Chairman, let me read from the amendment. ``The Administrator is authorized,'' it doesn't say, ``they shall.'' It says, ``is authorized.'' The second section says, ``The Administrator may require.'' These are discretionary terms. There is nothing in here that is mandatory. It creates the ability of the Administrator to offer a general permit. Most importantly, let's keep in mind, this doesn't waive any environmental laws or anything along those lines. What this does is, it simply says that if a permit has been issued and the agency is not fast enough in re-upping the permit, then what happens is that you continue operating under the previously approved permit. Now, if the agency wants to reject a permit, if they want to take an action, all of that discretion is still retained by the Administrator. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the distinguished majority leader and the sponsor of this legislation.”