[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 1, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H11591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON VA-HUD BILL TO ELIMINATE ENVIRONMENTAL 
                                 RIDERS

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, there is going to be an effort this 
afternoon which I support to try to eliminate environmental riders that 
were put into the EPA appropriations bill by the Republican leadership. 
These Republican riders would severely hamper the EPA's ability to 
enforce regulations that are the veritable backbone of environmental 
protection in this country, leaving the EPA severely crippled and the 
environment utterly defenseless.
  These provisos, supported by the Republican leadership, would limit 
EPA's ability to spend funds on activities related to the Clean Water 
Act, the Clean Air Act, RCRA, and Superfund. They even prevent the EPA 
from establishing drinking water standards for radon and arsenic, both 
known carcinogens.
  These provisions are criminal in terms of the effects they will have 
on the environment. Then again, letting the environmental criminals off 
the hook is exactly what these provisions are all about.
  I hope we are successful on a bipartisan basis this afternoon in 
eliminating these riders that severely hamper our ability to prevent 
the degradation of the Nation's environment.

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