Political Quotes

“This amendment prohibits the EPA from using funds for actions pursuant to section 115 of the Clean Air Act. Section 115 of the Clean Air Act allows the EPA to mandate State emissions levels to whatever level the agency deems appropriate if they find the following: U.S. emissions endanger a foreign nation, and the endangered nation has a reciprocal agreement to prevent or control these emissions in their own nation. That sounds complicated and screwed up because it is. Our EPA deciding what we do in our States based on their agreement with some other nation about what is happening in their nation shouldn't have an impact on our States. This is a backdoor provision that allows the EPA to vastly expand its regulatory authority and encroach on the rights of the States to regulate their own energy sectors based on the actions of a foreign nation and a determination of the executive branch solely without any input from this branch. It is irresponsible to allow unelected bureaucrats at the EPA to retain the ability to seize this expansive authority. If the U.S. Government wants to pursue such a policy, one that, in my opinion, is constitutionally suspect--be that as it may--it should be done through an explicit congressional delegation of authority on a case-by-case basis. A similar amendment has passed the House during previous Interior- Environment appropriations packages. I know because I offered it.…”