Political Quotes

“I thank the chair of the Appropriations Committee for her hard work. This is an opportunity for me to speak on behalf of my amendment concerning the toxic chemical from tires, yes, the tires on cars, trucks, and vehicles, that has a chemical that is killing coho salmon. I thank also Representatives Kilmer and Schrier for their support of this amendment and to the combined Washington State University and University of Washington research team for their work on this critical issue. Late last year, this team found that a toxic chemical called 6PPD- quinone runs off roadways and into streams when it rains, entering the bloodstream of coho salmon and killing them. Salmon are fundamental to the Pacific northwest culture and especially for our Native American Tribes. David Troutt, the Director of National Resources for the Nisqually Indian Tribe has said, ``In 1987, we were fishing 105 days a year. As of 2015, that number has reduced to 8 days a year, and if the coho population continues to decline, I am afraid 8 days will go down to no days, disconnecting our community from the place they have been for 10,000 years.'' It is time for us to robustly fund research into this issue today. By supporting my amendment, we are sending a message, that Congress is committed to funding research at the scale to address it.”