Political Quotes

“I rise in strong opposition to this modified closed rule on H.R. 3425, the Department of Environmental Protection Act. Mr. Speaker, let me make clear at the outset that this modified closed rule does make in order some nine amendments, including eight submitted by Republican Members. And for that we are grateful. Notwithstanding the constructive amendments made in order, I must still oppose the rule because of what it does not do. It does not make in order the bipartisan amendment submitted by two outstanding freshman Members from Florida, Mrs. Thurman and Mr. Mica. Their amendment is identical to the Johnston risk-assessment amendment in the other body which was passed as part of the Senate Environmental Protection Department bill by a vote of 95 to 3. I repeat, 95 to 3. So this is a matter we will have to go to conference on, and this House deserves an opportunity now to vote on it before we go to conference. The amendment would simply require the Secretary to include with any new regulations on health or the environment an estimate of the risk to be addressed, the costs associated with implementation and compliance, and a comparative analysis of the risks addressed relative to other risks. What could be more reasonable, more commonsensical, and more necessary in creating such a powerful regulatory bureaucracy as this? I am sure the American people are completely baffled at the fact that this House will not even be allowed to consider such an amendment.”