Political Quotes

“This amendment, which is an environmental amendment, would prohibit the House from spending funds to purchase plastic drinking straws in our eating areas in the House. Plastic drinking straws are a considerable environmental risk to mammals and fish. They are dropped and discarded on the streets but particularly in the oceans. And they have had whales show up with 17 pounds of plastic in their stomachs and tortoises with straws in their nostrils and all kinds of awful things. It is a threat to sea turtles and all kinds of marine wildlife. This would be an opportunity for us to show the public that we are aware there are cities, restaurant associations, and other groups that are banning straws or at least asking that they be made optional for customers so that they are used or not used, but let the customer make that decision. I think this would be a great thing for the House to do to show that we understand this environmental problem.”