[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 105 (Thursday, July 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1322-E1323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CLEAN WATER COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2018) to 
     amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to preserve the 
     authority of each State to make determinations relating to 
     the State's water quality standards, and for other purposes:

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the so-called ``Clean 
Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011'', H.R. 2018. This misguided 
bill would undermine the Clean Water Act and significantly limit the 
federal government's ability to ensure that our nation's rivers, lakes, 
and streams are pollution-free.
  This legislation is an unprecedented attack on the Clean Water Act. 
Because H.R. 2018 would make the water we drink less clean, I think it 
is fair to call this legislation what it is: The Dirty Water Act.
  Sadly, the Dirty Water Act is the latest in a long line of bills from 
the majority that puts big polluters before the health and safety of 
the American people. From the Dirty Air Act that would remove EPA's 
statutory authority to regulate carbon pollution to legislation that 
removes accountability for offshore drilling operations, the majority 
seems intent on rolling back programs that preserve our environment, 
protect our public health, and grow our economy.
  Since the Clean Water Act was enacted in 1972, water quality 
safeguards have been collaborative effort between States and the 
Federal government. The Federal government reviews State water 
pollution control decisions to assure that they reflect up-to-date 
science and protect water in downstream locations in other States. The 
Clean Water Act was written wisely to allow pollution safeguards to 
grow with the scientific understanding of the dangers posed by various 
chemicals and with the technical means of controlling these chemicals.

[[Page E1323]]

  The Clean Water Act protects our rivers, lakes, and streams. The 
success of the Clean Water Act is because its regulations are based in 
science. Legislators shouldn't pretend to be scientists.
  I urge my colleagues to vote no on this bill.

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