Political Quotes

“I will close. I want to reaffirm what my colleague from West Virginia said. This is important for economic development in communities in Appalachia. It will have a significant impact on economic development work throughout the region, while being offset by only a slight reduction in EPA's environmental programs and management account, totaling only 1.21 percent of that account. So this is good legislation. It is a good bill for Appalachia, a good set of amendments for Appalachia. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I want to be clear. I understand that this amendment would direct more funding to States in Appalachia who have suffered from the ravaging environment caused by coal mining, and that is a very noble goal, as I said before. But at this time I have to oppose this amendment. Once again, I want to point out, we were level funded in our allocation in the Interior bill that we are debating today with amendments, and I cannot support any further deeper cuts to the EPA. But as the chairman moves forward and as we go to conference, if we can start restoring some of the funds to the EPA, I would like to work with the gentleman to restore some of the funds to this also important program; but at this time I have to oppose. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson).…”