Sheila Jackson Lee: “Quite the contrary to my dear friend, this bill is unclear. It is not clear. So victims are impacted positively by…”

“Quite the contrary to my dear friend, this bill is unclear. It is not clear. So victims are impacted positively by environmental restoration projects, including activities to protect local ecosystems, facility assessments and audits, including investigations of local environmental quality, programs that promote environmental compliance, projects that provide technical assistance or equipment. Each of these types of programs provide important protections of human health and the environment in communities that have been harmed by environmental violations and others. It is not clear whether or not these kinds of projects or programs that the State may be able to utilize are, in fact, able to be utilized in this legislation. That is why I offer amendment No. 3. Again, I will raise the terrible headline of victims having to pay $700,000. Let's not make victims pay by this underlying bill, H.R. 5063. Let's support the Jackson Lee amendment that takes into consideration the victims who need to be compensated and provide a pathway for restoration. I urge my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment No. 3. I yield back the balance of my time.”