William F. Smith: “Once again, I want to say to my colleagues and reassure them that H.R. 992 is a fair, straightforward, common-sense way…”

“Once again, I want to say to my colleagues and reassure them that H.R. 992 is a fair, straightforward, common-sense way to give every property owner across America their right to choose the court that they think is best for their claim, either the claims court or the Federal district court. This amendment again would destroy that option. If we support giving private property owners their day in court, if we believe property owners, not the Federal Government, should choose the court that hears their case, if we believe that property owners do not deserve to be treated like a ping-pong ball and shuffled back and forth between courts, if we believe in fairness and equity, then I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote for this fair, straightforward, common-sense bill and support the right of every property owner across America to have their day in court and in the court that is best for them. I have made a good-faith effort over the last 2 days to address the concerns of my colleagues that we not affect in any way environmental laws.”