[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               H.R. 3409

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                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, today the House votes again to dismantle 
what was once a bipartisan pledge to the American people--that everyone 
in this nation deserves clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. 
On this, the last day of session before the House leadership has chosen 
to adjourn, we could be passing a jobs bill, extending the middle class 
tax cuts, or working to prevent the sequester and reduce the deficit. 
Instead, we are voting on a package of bills--most of which we have 
voted on before--to strip basic environmental protections for our air 
and water.
  Today's bill would systematically dismantle the Clean Water Act, 
undermine the Clean Air Act, prevent any action to ensure the safe 
disposal of coal ash, and eliminate the EPA's ability to reduce carbon 
pollution.
  In an unprecedented move, it would repeal in statute a scientific 
finding by the Environmental Protection Agency that greenhouse gases 
endanger public health, confirming that the House of Representatives is 
an evidence-free zone. Mr. Speaker, I'm afraid some of my Tea Party 
colleagues would have lined up to put Galileo in jail.
  The bill nullifies the new fuel efficiency pollution standards for 
vehicles--standards that would save consumers money at the pump and 
that are supported by 13 major auto manufacturers representing more 
than 90 percent of U.S. vehicle sales. It nullifies the Mercury and Air 
Toxics Standards, preventing the EPA from reducing emissions of 
mercury, a powerful neurotoxin that is particularly dangerous for young 
children and pregnant women.
  Mr. Speaker, this broad, damaging legislation would roll back 40 
years of progress for clean air and water. We cannot afford to return 
to a time when industrial polluters used lakes and streams as dumping 
grounds for dangerous chemicals and factories sent toxic fumes into the 
air. We must protect public health, defend our environment, and reject 
this bill.

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