Rod Grams: “it is no wonder they call the U.S. Senate the world's greatest deliberative body, because all too often here in the…”

“it is no wonder they call the U.S. Senate the world's greatest deliberative body, because all too often here in the House the leadership will not even allow pressing issues to be discussed, let alone voted on. Choking off debate this time is the Rules Committee, which won't allow risk assessment and cost analysis amendments to H.R. 3425, the EPA cabinet-level bill, claiming they are not germane. Not germane, they say. Not relevant, they say. Not pertinent, they say. Well, since when has accountability to the American taxpayer not been relevant? Since when has conducting a risk assessment study before imposing more oppressive regulations on the public not been pertinent? Since when does this body ignore 94 percent of the American people who think the Government should conduct benefit-cost analyses on proposed environmental regulations? Not germane, you say? The truth is otherwise. Last year, with broad bipartisan support, we added an economic impact assessment amendment to the research and development portion of the EPA financing bill. A benefit-cost component was wise then, and it is certainly wise today. If you support open debate, accountability to the taxpayer, and sound science and risk analysis, vote ``no'' on the rule on H.R. 3425.”