[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 61 (Monday, April 3, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      CLEAN WATER ACT REAUTHORIZATION RECEIVES BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

  (Mr. SHUSTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is becoming very clear that the 
environmental extremists have decided to adopt the big lie strategy to 
attack the clean water bill. They are saying that the bill was written 
behind closed doors by Republicans with industry.
  Here are the facts. The clean water bill provides over $3 billion a 
year to continue cleaning up America's waters.
  The original cosponsors, 16 of us, 8 Republicans, 8 Democrats. The 
bill passed overwhelmingly in the subcommittee last week, 19 to 5, with 
a majority of Democrats as well as Republicans voting in favor of it. 
It has been an open process.
  The EPA testified more than three times before our committee. In fact 
it was so open that the Governors' Association sent us a letter saying 
we commend you for the unprecedented inclusion of State and local 
government representatives in the process for developing a Clean Water 
Act reauthorization.
  Now, it is true, we do want to correct the overzealous regulations, 
but do not be misled by the big lie. This is good legislation with 
strong bipartisan support.


                          ____________________