Political Quotes

“Throughout the consideration of this bill in committee, at Rules, and now here, several of my Democratic colleagues have argued CERCLA liability only attaches to two legacy chemicals, and we don't have to worry about others. Unfortunately, that is not the case. This bill requires regulatory determination on 9,250 different chemicals, individually or in groups, on whether they will be CERCLA hazardous substances. My colleagues argue that people don't have to worry about Superfund liability if they don't cause environmental harm. This argument is false. Superfund liability is strict liability. If a party has any involvement, they are liable, period, end of story. That strict liability is what causes concern and is why Mr. Burgess offered an amendment to make only those who cause the pollution pay for its cleanup. For some reason, the majority found issue with that amendment and prevented its commonsense consideration. If there is interest on the other side of the aisle in changing the overall rules of Superfund liability, I am sure we would be happy to consider it. Short of that improvement, my colleagues should not take comfort that only reckless, willful, or irresponsible parties will be held liable under future CERCLA designations.”