Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumGOP Lawmakers Capitalize on Zika Threat to Pass Bill Dubbed 'Making Pesticides Great Again' Act
The Republican-controlled U.S. House on Tuesday passed legislationnewly rebranded with the word Zika in itthat Democrats say is in fact not at all about the addressing the threat of the virus but making it easier for pesticides to contaminate the nations waterways.
Previously called the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, the Zika Vector Control Act passed the House 258-156.
According to House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (Md), H.R. 897 is nothing but a Trojan horse, with practically nothing to do with Zika.
It was sponsored by Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), who, as Cleveland.com reported last week, For years [
] has tried to get Congress to change permitting requirements for pesticides sprayed near water.
The Obama administration issued a statement earlier this week saying (pdf) that it strongly opposes the legislation, as it would weaken environmental protections under the Clean Water Act. Indeed, the Acts summary states that it
establishes exemptions for the following discharges containing a pesticide or pesticide residue: (1) a discharge resulting from the application of a pesticide in violation of FIFRA that is relevant to protecting water quality, if the discharge would not have occurred but for the violation or the amount of pesticide or pesticide residue contained in the discharge is greater than would have occurred without the violation; (2) stormwater discharges regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES); and (3) discharges regulated under NPDES of manufacturing or industrial effluent or treatment works effluent and discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel, including a discharge resulting from operations concerning ballast water held in ships to increase stability or vessel biofouling prevention.
Gibbs, The Hill notes, said it would help to eliminate a duplicative and unnecessary permitting regulation that has made it more difficult for some local governments to spread for mosquitoes.
Journalist and documentary filmmaker Leighton Woodhouse, for his part, referred to the bill as Straight up #disastercapitalism.
Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.)., meanwhile, said it is a sham.
It is nothing but trying to weaken the environmental regulations. It exempts, a broad exemption, of toxic pesticides from the Clean Water Act, she said to PBS Newshour Monday, adding that the bill stands to pollute our rivers and contaminate our water.
Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-Calif.) spoke out against the measure on the House floor Tuesday, calling it misguided and harmful.
I am very concerned about the effect of these pesticides on the health of our rivers, on our streams, and especially the drinking water supplies of all our citizens, including pregnant women, Napolitano added.
Slamming the repeated iterations of the bill that threatens to undo protections that safeguard our environment and public health, Hoyer said that to bring the same bill back to the Floor last week and again today, renamed with Zika in the title, is one of the most egregious displays of dishonesty Ive seen while serving in the House.
It is an act that seeks to provide political cover for Republicans who refused to act on President Obamas urgent request for funding to address the Zika outbreak in a serious way. House Republicans might as well bring this bill to the Floor and rename it the Making Pesticides Great Again Act, because in truth it would remove virtually all federal oversight concerning the use of chemical pesticides to ensure they do not end up in our water supply, he charged.
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mopinko
(70,109 posts)Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)Lodestar
(2,388 posts)Lodestar
(2,388 posts)that this was some kind of trojan horse. Thanks so much for posting!
It seems we have to be so vigilant about the goings on in our government
these days, what with so much money changing hands and a revolving
door with industry. This is a BIG step backward and needs to be fought
tooth and nail.
Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)We have 188 democrats in the house
You might do us a favor a check how the vote went
if you have time.