Lamar Smith: “I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for yielding me time, and I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson)…”

“I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for yielding me time, and I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson) for sponsoring H.R. 806, the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017. I appreciate the efforts of Chairman Walden, subcommittee Chairman Shimkus, and members of the Energy and Commerce Committee to reduce the regulatory burden on the American people and the economy. As chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I have worked to ensure that EPA regulations are based on sound science. Specifically, the committee found that the 2015 ozone standards implemented by the previous administration were based on questionable science and would cost billions of dollars to implement. H.R. 806 is commonsense legislation that appropriately delays the implementation of these new standards, allowing States more time to work through compliance. This legislation also resets the time period for the next review of Clean Air Act regulations. This is necessary to provide the Agency with ample time to analyze the science and economic impact of new rules. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and reduce the regulatory burden on the American people and return the Agency to sound scientific rulemaking. Again, I appreciate Chairman Olson taking the initiative on this subject.”