Political Quotes

“I believe unreasonable unfunded mandates should not be sent to local governments. Congress should not require unfunded mandates without careful consideration and deliberation. But there are issues--major and significant issues--on which the Federal Government has a truly legitimate role in setting nation-wide standards. Mr. Chairman, the Clean Water Act has been one of the great successes of modern America in cleaning up our Nation's waters and in protecting the health of the American people. Is it unreasonable for us to set limits and restrictions on the dumping of pollution in our Nation's waterways? The Federal Government for more than two decades has paid part of the costs of cleaning up the waters. It is true that we have set standards and only paid part of the cost. We have not paid all of the hundreds of billions of dollars needed to protect the American people. It has been a cost-sharing program. The alternatives to Federal action to limit water pollution are unacceptable.”