Political Quotes

“I remind the gentlewoman and everybody that Pennsylvania and the other States are not ignoring the requirements. As I said, while they were working together without Federal involvement, without the coercive activity of the EPA, water quality was actually improving. It was actually when the Federal Government got involved that things stopped. It hasn't improved since that time. It worked until the Federal Government got involved with their coercive activity, and then it stopped. This would just allow the States to go back to collaborative efforts, with the Federal Government, with the EPA, without the heavy hand of Damocles' sword hanging over their head trying to force them to do something that apparently and obviously is ineffective. It is ineffective. We all have the same goal, to clean up the bay. The States have agreed on their own to do this, and they have been effective. What is not effective is the Federal Government's coercive activity. This amendment seeks to remove the ability for that coercive activity so that the requirement is just to work with the States to do what works and works well. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes appeared to have it.”