Sherwood Boehlert: “the teeth in H.R. 350 are a vote that is designed to do one thing and only one thing, and that is to shut down debate on…”

“the teeth in H.R. 350 are a vote that is designed to do one thing and only one thing, and that is to shut down debate on any measure that someone claims will cost industry money, regardless of the evidence on cost, regardless of the benefits, regardless of the public purpose to be served, regardless of whether some companies support the measure. Our amendment has teeth in the sense that it will accomplish its intended goal: creating more debate, creating more debate on alleged private-sector mandates. But our amendment will not try to injure those who support protections for the environment, for public health and public safety. Again, I urge Members to read the bill. The vote in the bill is needed because there are no objective criteria for determining the validity of their point of order and because, without the vote, one side will not be able to intimidate the other. Mr. Chairman, the details of this debate are complex but the basic questions it raises are simple. First, does the House want to have more debate and better-informed debate and better-focused debate on private mandates? If the answer to that is yes, and I think it is, then Members should support the Boehlert amendment because that is exactly what we provide. Second, does the House want to change the fundamental rules of the House so that in every case there is a presumption that laws to protect the environment, and health, and public safety are a bad idea?”