[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 15, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H3160-H3161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    REPUBLICAN CONTRACT ON CLEAN AIR

  (Mr. SKAGGS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SKAGGS. Mr. Speaker, anyone needing evidence that the Republican 
Contract on America is a public health accident waiting to happen need 
only look at a recent study on the effects of air pollution. The news 
in the study, the most comprehensive ever, is that people who live in 
the most polluted areas are significantly more likely to die early from 
respiratory ailments and heart disease. Even here in the Washington 
area where the air is not that bad, air pollution is likely to steal a 
year of life from each person.
  With this information, in a rational world, one would expect the 
Government to be doing more to be dealing with the air pollution 
problem. But not under Republican rules.
  Why do I say that? Well, one of the provisions tucked in the bill 
that we are going to be debating today would prohibit the EPA from 
ensuring the inspection of cars in the areas with the most dangerous 
air pollution.
  Republicans want to throw out one of the most effective tools we have 
had in keeping cars from pumping poison into the air.
  [[Page H3161]] For those who are not already gagging on the 
Republicans' so-called Contract With America, hold your breath.

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