[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 24, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MAINTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

  (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, the President challenged the Congress last 
night not to turn the clock back on environmental protection. 
Unfortunately, that is what has been happening in this House. Whether 
it is Superfund or enforcement within the EPA, in each case over the 
last year we have seen significant threats and efforts to turn back the 
clock on environmental protection.
  Right now the Superfund Program is in shambles. Enforcement within 
the Environmental Protection Agency has been suggested, and pursuant to 
the CR that we passed, cut back by 25 percent. Lobbyists and special 
interests, as the President has said, the polluters, are now in the 
room writing the environmental bills and trying to weaken environmental 
laws.
  We need to heed the President's call. In this year in Congress we 
have to make sure there is adequate funding for Superfund and for 
environmental protection. This was always a bipartisan issue. As the 
President mentioned, much of the environmental laws were passed when 
President Nixon was President and the Democrats controlled Congress.
  The President also looked at the future and he said we can expand the 
economy; we can create jobs at the same time we protect the 
environment. He had a vision for the future in this country which is 
proenvironment, and this Congress should heed his call.

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