Earl Blumenauer: “The comments the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley) is making in terms of her personal commitment to the environment…”

“The comments the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley) is making in terms of her personal commitment to the environment, actually, we know from survey research that the American public is willing to pay a little bit for clean air. They are willing to pay a little bit for clean water. They know that investing in the long run in the environment is something that is important for their future and their children's future. That is why as we look at the two candidates and compare their performances, compare their platforms and their ideals, looking at the performance in the State of Texas is so unnerving for me. Texas ranks near the bottom of all the States in the union in the investments that they make to try and clean up the environment. One would think that a large State with such huge environmental problems would be maybe working a little harder. But the State of Texas ranks 44th out of all the States in per capita spending on environmental programs. Mr. Speaker, they are the third worst in the country for toxic water pollution.”