John Sarbanes actually said...

"if this isn't being exercised properly as an enforcement tool, it is sending a signal to industry that, in a sense, the cop is off the beat."

"I think there is plenty of evidence here that the mission you have of fair and effective enforcement of environmental laws... is not being fulfilled based on the numbers that we are seeing."

"Are you aware that the State fines have also diminished over the last couple of years?"

"To me that would suggest that the Federal Government needs to step up even more and occupy this space in an aggressive and responsible way."