Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding after we engage in a colloquy that this en bloc amendment may be accepted. I would simply like to point out that the en bloc amendment improves upon this already widely supported bill that we reported out. This package of agreements includes agreements reached with chairmen of the other committees of jurisdiction, noncontroversial items brought to our attention since the committee markup, and other technical matters and miscellaneous issues. The en bloc also reflects an ongoing dialog with State and local water officials including various provisions directly responding to the concerns and clarifying existing environmental safeguards in the bill. I would emphasize it is very important that once the en bloc amendment is passed it will be open for amendment by title as we go through the bill so Member's rights are protected as we go through the bill and they will be able, if they choose, to offer amendments to the en bloc amendment. In the en bloc amendment we deal with several State issues, for examples, reducing from 20,000 to 10,000 the population ceiling for eligibility for the modification of secondary treatment requirements, this at the request of the States.”