Sheila Jackson Lee: “Although we have been debating for a long period of time, let me say to my colleagues to remind them--and I see my good…”

“Although we have been debating for a long period of time, let me say to my colleagues to remind them--and I see my good friend, Chairman Goodlatte, on the floor--that this legislation amends the National Environmental Policy Act with good intentions. However, what this bill will do is actually strip out critical input from Federal, State, local agencies, and the public, jeopardizing both the environment and public safety--let me repeat that--jeopardizing the American people, environment, and public safety. The bill sets new, tight deadlines for environmental review, permitting, and licensing decisions and simply, as I said earlier, throws wisdom and good judgment to the wind. I serve as a senior member on the Homeland Security Committee. And so I rise today with my amendment that improves the bill and helps to protect the homeland by carving a limiting exception for construction projects that could be potential targets for terrorist acts, such as chemical facilities, nuclear power plants, and other critical infrastructure. Let me offer the comments of the Congressional Budget Office. They have no basis for estimating the number of construction projects that could be expedited or the savings that would be realized in this bill. Of course, those who support it use that as their main Rock of Gibraltar, if you will, their main point of argument that this is a good bill. A good bill in the face of terrorism?…”