David Obey: “I think it is environmentally criminal to see what has been allowed to happen to the Everglades over the past three…”

“I think it is environmentally criminal to see what has been allowed to happen to the Everglades over the past three decades or more. But the fact is, if you take a look around the country, you have to get in line for regular appropriations. We have national parks which are being impacted by pollution all around, and we have great need. All you have to do is talk to the Park Service and they will tell you we have a very serious need to expand some of those national parks to preserve their core environmental values, and yet they have to get in line for regular appropriations. But there is no such getting in line with respect to this problem, and that is what is wrong with this approach. I would assure the entire Florida delegation, I will be the first to support this provision if it is subject to appropriations. But I cannot in good conscience support it, even though I agree with the goal, when it is being set aside, being put ahead of virtually every other urgent environmental problem in the country.”