Jason Smith: “As the young lady across the aisle made note of the GAO report of 2011, also in that same report, as I noted, is that…”

“As the young lady across the aisle made note of the GAO report of 2011, also in that same report, as I noted, is that that report recognized that environmentalist groups such as the Sierra Club received almost $6 million in settlement fees from just suing the government. Under no circumstances should the government be rewarding any group to sue the government on their behalf. They definitely don't do that to every individual citizen and to every small-business owner that is being targeted by the EPA where they are being targeted by other Federal agencies. This is about fairness, and this is making sure that self-interest groups are not profiting off of the Federal Government. I encourage the body to support the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I just want to state again that the GAO report clearly found that most suits were brought by trade associations and private companies and that attorney fees were only awarded about 8 percent of the time, and among environmental plaintiffs, the majority of those cases were brought by local groups rather than national groups. So this amendment is clearly designed to make it much more difficult for citizens--my constituents--to ensure that there is accountability in the Federal Government so that they can have their day in court with being a plaintiff against the government when they feel it necessary. I urge my colleagues to defeat this amendment. Mr.…”