Joe Barton

I would say of all the agencies we deal with, the FERC staff is probably the least politically motivated or impacted.

I see both sides of it, so I appreciate the information.

Is there any community you went through that you didn't see a plant that had been shut down?

Oh, you do know the answer. The answer is no.

But because of all the things that we have done over the past 40 years, the number of birth defects because of mercury is, I would think, significantly down.

One of the rules that we are looking at is cement. I have got three cements plants in my Congressional district.

I want to stipulate that I think you and Mrs. Jackson are people of good character and integrity.

the EPA has issued a plethora of regulations, whether intended or not, that have the actual effect of reducing jobs

these bills are necessary.

Many people look at what we are doing or not doing in Washington and say, those guys don't get it.

What the EPA is attempting to do here in Florida with regards to water quality is very similar to what the EPA is trying to do in Texas with regards to air quality.

You should give deference to the State in terms of how to implement and the timelines for implementation.

Let me compliment Congressman Bilirakis and Mr. Ross.

I don't see why you couldn't reopen the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act and say unless the Federal Government can show failure, then the State should be preeminent.

I think it is fair to say also that we should recognize that those standards should be based on real scientific data.

I want to thank you for showing up.

the Obama EPA administration is trying to reset the balance between State regulation and Federal regulation, with an emphasis that Washington knows best.

I want to compliment the non-committee congressmen and women that are here. They don't have to be here.

I think it is--although you are outnumbered, it certainly doesn't mean you are outmanned, so to speak, because of the issue.

All three would be good committee members. So if you and I don't do a good job, we are probably going to get booted.

We have air quality and water quality laws because the last 100 years, the people and their representatives to Congress have decided that the market wasn't working.

I don't think I will take 5 minutes, Mr. Chairman. I do want to compliment you on holding this hearing.

I thank my friend from Florida for the time. Mr. Speaker, I am puzzled by Congressman Hastings' remarks in opposition to the rule. This is a very fair rule. The Rules Committee received 13 amendments from the minority. They made in order…

In my judgment, providing more fuel supply for our refineries would liken the possibility that prices would go down.

The issues that we are discussing today have the ability to harm our sick, inhibit innovation and stifle domestic economic jobs and growth.