Barbara Mikulski: “I oppose the Boxer amendment on arsenic in drinking water, and I urge my colleagues to vote against it. This amendment…”

“I oppose the Boxer amendment on arsenic in drinking water, and I urge my colleagues to vote against it. This amendment is not needed, and its adoption will effectively kill this bill. Let me be clear about what we did. In our negotiations with the House, bill language was added that allows EPA to take until June 22, 2001 to issue a final rule setting the allowable level of arsenic in drinking water. EPA remains free to issue the final rule anytime up to June 22, 2001. This provision was carefully negotiated with the administration. It does not prevent, prohibit or restrict EPA's ability to issue a final rule for arsenic in drinking water. Since EPA missed the deadline for proposal of this rule, this extension from the current January 1, 2001 statutory deadline would allow EPA the same length of time--12 months--to consider public comments as contemplated in the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996. This provision is fully consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Our provision maintains all of the protections for public health and safety. If it didn't, I would not support it. This is not a debate about arsenic in drinking water. We all agree that arsenic in drinking water should be reduced or eliminated consistent with science based public health standards. This is a disagreement over process, not substance.”