Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, the BRICK Act would simply allow for the consideration and completion of any judicial review regarding the EPA's 2015 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the brick, clay, and tile industries before requiring compliance. So why is this important? Because this rule needlessly jeopardizes good-paying jobs all across America, as the chart right here next to me clearly demonstrates. And for what reason? Why are they jeopardizing these jobs? The EPA itself concedes in the rule: ``We do not expect that the combined emissions . . . would result in substantial cumulative health and environmental impacts.'' Instead, the real health impacts due to this rule will be felt by the workers who lose their jobs, their health benefits, and even the education and training opportunities offered by their employers. The brick industry primarily consists of small, family-owned businesses. They are often located in small communities that depend on the plant for good-paying jobs. To comply with the EPA's requirement, these small businesses will be forced to borrow millions of dollars to pay for the required control technology. Many brick companies are already struggling to find the capital for plant modernization. I can't imagine how difficult it will be for these companies to secure the needed investments to pay for new control equipment, equipment that provides zero return on investment.…”