Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is simple and straightforward. Moreover, I do not believe it conflicts with the intent of this legislation.

Alabama has a long and rich history of coal production that provides my constituents and Americans across the country with affordable and reliable energy as well as good-paying jobs.

As a representative of Alabama, I am a strong supporter of an all-of- the-above energy strategy. I support the development and use of renewable energy like wind and solar as well as the traditional sources of energy like coal. Coal is very important in my State.

However, I also believe that it is Congress' responsibility to ensure that energy is produced in a way that does not adversely impact the long-term safety or health of my constituents. That is why I have offered this amendment to H.R. 1644.

This amendment makes an important addition to the exception clause in section 2 of the bill. It simply ensures that rules will not be delayed if such a delay would cause or significantly contribute to the development of a negative, chronic, or long-term health condition.

We have an obligation as representatives of the people to ensure that regulations are not only sensible but also pragmatic. They must also not be threatened by the policies and regulations, those things that directly affect the public health. I believe all of my colleagues share this belief. I know that my Republican colleagues share my concern for public health.

The legislation already includes an exception clause that says a rule cannot be delayed if it would pose an imminent and severe threat to human life. I strongly support this clause, but it is not enough to simply protect the public from imminent and severe health effects.

Cancer and lung disease are illnesses that are chronic and often not developed except over years. We should also ensure that the public's long-term health and well-being is protected.

This is a commonsense amendment that will protect the public health. I urge all of my colleagues to vote for it.

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Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, with all due respect, I think that the plain reading of the bill, the bill itself, talks about imminent and imminent threat. It doesn't necessarily deal with long- term effect.

My commonsense amendment would just make sure that any rules that actually affect public health that is chronic in nature and long term would also be covered with the exception.

I say to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I am from a pro- coal State, but I also think it is really important to be pro-public health. I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Sewell amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

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