Political Quotes

“the Senate will vote today on whether to proceed to a congressional resolution of disapproval that I strongly oppose. This resolution would repeal the Environmental Protection Agency's mercury and air toxics standards rule and undo the great strides the Agency has taken to safeguard the public's health and welfare and our quality of life in this great land. The EPA's mercury and air toxics standards represent a true breakthrough in environmental policy. This rule offers clear benefits to every American, and it is especially important to Vermonters, who disproportionally suffer from the devastating effects of mercury and other toxic air pollutants. Although my home State has no major sources of mercury, Vermonters have been besieged by this insidious poison, which drifts across our borders from other States. The EPA estimates that each year, toxic air pollutants cause up to 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks, and 130,000 cases of childhood asthma, among other illnesses. Mercury, a truly unwelcome addition to our daily lives, has had catastrophic effects on the health and well-being of all Americans, as well as a ruinous impact on our Nation's pristine natural environment. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury it is harmful to humans in even the smallest amounts. Tragically, mercury's most devastating effect is on those victims least able to protect themselves: unborn and newborn children.…”