Political Quotes

“There is a strong sense of deja vu here in the Chamber today. Last week, we gave power plants--the number one source of airborne mercury--free rein to spew neurotoxins and other hazardous materials into the air we breathe. The other day, we repealed EPA's standards for cement kilns--the second-largest source of mercury in our air. Now here we are again, proposing to preemptively block EPA from finalizing rules that limit pollution coming from the third-largest mercury emitters-- industrial boilers and waste incinerators. Mr. Chairman, House Republicans seem bent on eviscerating the Clean Air Act, turning back the clock on 40 years of progress in health, technological innovation, economic expansion, and job growth. Yes, job growth. Contrary to the belief of my colleagues on the other side, protecting our environment and our health doesn't stifle jobs; in fact, it saves jobs. That's because, when you develop, manufacture, and implement environmental technologies, it's labor intensive. That explains why during this same period that the Clean Air Act kept more than 1.7 million tons of poisonous chemicals out of our lungs that it also contributed to 207 percent increase--that's right, 207 percent--in the Nation's GDP. {time} 1620 So that is why I am offering an amendment today, to acknowledge that this bill, H.R. 2250, will block rules that would have created at least 2,200 jobs. This number is a very conservative estimate.…”