Political Quotes

“as a result of the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments, America's air quality has improved and those improvements are continuing. Yet after industries have expended billions of dollars, and even before the improvements that will result have been fully realized, America's economy faces additional regulation. Mr. Speaker, now is not the time to burden America's economy further. An example is an industry that provides employment to nearly 9,000 men and women in the Fifth District of Virginia. Over a year and a half period, the wood furniture and related industries engaged in a negotiated rulemaking with the EPA, the American Lung Association, the Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund, and others. The rulemaking resulted in an agreement that would cost the industry an estimated half billion dollars and would substantially reduce smog-causing emissions and title 3 pollutants. Mr. Speaker, the agency called this process a credit to industry, environmental and governmental cooperation. But almost before the ink was dry, the agency was back proposing more burdensome regulations that their own scientific advisory committee cannot agree will have significant health and environmental benefits. Mr. Speaker, I know that there are many of us here who are willing to work for standards based on quality science and health and environmental benefits--but not these regulations and not at this time.”