[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 1995

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                               speech of

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 1996

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the majority on 
their handling of this legislation. H.R. 2036 is a bipartisan bill 
based on negotiations between the majority, minority and the 
administration. This bill will relieve companies from the expense of 
spending over $800 million of dollars in unnecessary and burdensome 
regulation with minimal environmental benefit.
  Due to previous judicial action, it is vital we pass this legislation 
and have it signed into law by early May. I want to especially thank 
Subcommittee Chairman Oxley for his support of this measure and his 
willingness to seek Democratic input.
  The gentlelady from Arkansas Mrs. Lincoln, and Chairman Oxley and 
myself offered an amendment to require EPA to complete the study of 
impoundments that is called for in the bill. Simple common sense 
dictates that if you order someone to conduct a study, you should 
expect it to be completed. Even though the EPA believes these 
impoundments do not pose any risk to human health, prudence dictates we 
should have the agency make sure we do not put our groundwater and 
communities at risk. Although, I'm not an expert in surface 
impoundments, I'll take very seriously the agreement between the 
majority, minority, EPA, and industry that this bill is a positive step 
in requiring more sensible environmental regulation.
  I was glad to work with Mr. Oxley and hope the process used in the 
consideration of this measure will become a blueprint for future 
improvement of environmental regulation in the House.

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