Political Quotes

“We all know the history of the misguided Yucca Mountain project, so there is no need to repeat it again. This simple amendment that I am going to offer would strike language included in the bill which prohibits the DOE from closing Yucca Mountain. Now we heard earlier this evening from an esteemed colleague on this floor that he cares deeply about Nevada, and he went on to say that if the latest court mandated study determines Yucca Mountain is not safe for 1 million years, he will, indeed, lead the charge to move on to another solution. In fact, he called on the chairman of the committee to join him in that pledge. Well, I thank him for that, but I would ask you, Mr. Chairman, how can that be possible if the provision prohibiting closure of Yucca Mountain is left in the bill? Is this offer not a sincere one? Is this yet another empty promise to the people of Nevada? Indeed, if this amendment is not adopted and instead the DOE is prohibited from ever closing Yucca Mountain, how can we believe anything that is being said or done in relation to this proposed dump site? I tell you, Mr. Chairman, Nevada is not a wasteland, and I urge passage of this amendment that would strike that language prohibiting the DOE from ever closing Yucca Mountain regardless of whether it is found to be safe or not. I reserve the balance of my time.”