[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PIPELINE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2000

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                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 2000

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, pipeline safety is literally a matter of 
life and death. Legislation this important must be crafted carefully, 
allowing for the input of every member of Congress, since pipeline 
safety impacts every American community. Legislation this important 
must be brought through committee and to the Floor of the House of 
Representatives in an inclusive, nonpartisan manner. Sadly, this was 
not the case for yesterday's consideration of the Pipeline Safety 
Improvement Act.
  S. 2438 faced significant opposition from consumer, environmental and 
labor groups, and was opposed by my own committee leadership. The bill 
did not ensure that pipelines would be inspected and did not do enough 
to help local emergency management agencies react to pipeline 
emergencies. Given these, and other concerns, and given the 
considerable opposition the bill faced, S. 2438 should not have been 
brought to the floor as a suspension calendar item. Mr. Speaker, we all 
know that the suspension calendar is meant to move noncontroversial, 
routine items. As such, these items are given little time for debate 
and no opportunity for amendment.
  Had S. 2438 been brought for a vote in a more open manner, it could 
have won my support. It is my sincerest hope that the Republican 
leadership will take pipeline safety seriously and bring S. 2438 back 
to the House of Representatives in a manner that permits its further 
debate and possible improvement.

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