Sherwood Boehlert: “I support the rule we will vote on this morning. I am proud that the people's House will bring this landmark legislation…”

“I support the rule we will vote on this morning. I am proud that the people's House will bring this landmark legislation up for debate under an open rule that allows for maximum debate. I think it is a sign of the maturity and confidence of the new majority that we are willing to air our disagreements over major legislation. Competing ideas are not just permitted, but encouraged to percolate to the top, where we will have full and open debate. Let me also say that I believe the committee's hearing process was open as well. As Chairman of the subcommittee of jurisdiction, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment, I presided over six major hearings in Washington, and one field hearing in upstate New York, that one dealing exclusively with the subject of nonpoint source pollution. The process was open, and I applaud that. I voted for the bill out of subcommittee to report it to the full committee despite the fact that I had major objections, but I feel that the day has long since gone when one person in the House can deny all of the others the opportunity to consider major legislation.”