House Proceeding 10-15-09 on Oct 15th, 2009 :: 0:01:20 to 0:05:10
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Nick J. Rahall: from washington, mr. hastings, each will control 30 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. miller: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members ma legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h.r. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. miller: mr. speaker, i yield three minutes to the chairman of

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Speech By: Nick J. Rahall

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Nick J. Rahall: the natural resources committee. the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. the gentleman may continue. >> thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i wish to in the very beginning commend the gentleman from calornia, the chairman of our education and labor, mr. george miller, for

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Nick J. Rahall: the tremendous leadership and dedication and persistence and patience with which he has handled the pebbeding legislation. i wish to also commend the distinguished chair lady of our subcommittee on water, our natural resources committee, mrs. grace napolitano. i do rise in my capacity as chairman of the committee on

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Nick J. Rahall: natural resources to sport the pending legislation which was favorably reported out of our committee without controversy. by now i would think that most of us are aware that thereare major issues associated with drought and agriculture in caifornia. while the rainy season has hit little to refill reservoirs that

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Nick J. Rahall: haven't seen normal level of rainfall for years. the impacts of the drought are obvious. whether we're talking about brown lawns, or increased rates for struggling families. to address this dire situation, the pending measure is based on conservation through reuse.

0:02:48 to 0:03:08( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: by recycling water, this bill would create 39,000 acre feet of water or enough water to supply over 24,000 homes. we're bringing this legislation up under a rule today because a very vocal minority opposed this bill for reasons unre the merits of the legislation. i'm fortunate to come from a state with a funded water resource.

0:03:09 to 0:03:29( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: i understand that water is critical for both people and our economy. what i do not understand is why some members on the other side want to use this bill as a strong man so they can demagogue democrats on the drought issue. one republican member from california in particular filed a number of amendments that are very g

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Nick J. Rahall: headlines and controversy. unfortunately the amendments were not germane to the subject matter of the bill before us, nor are they very thoughtful and realistic solutions to the crisis before us. opposition to this is like cutting off one's nose to fight one's face. water issues are not a zero sum game, creating more water through reuse and urbanized

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Nick J. Rahall: areas reduces pressure on water demands elsewhere in the state. if opponents to this budget -- legislation want to fix california's water woes, i suggest getting real about finding solutions and stop the partisan political attacks. the bill before us today creates new water resources through reuse.

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Nick J. Rahall: bill without any controversy including bills from my republican colleagues in southern california, utah and oregon. the only reason we are here today debating this legislation is because one member thinks the solution to the severe drought is to gut environmental laws and overturn court decisions. perhaps that member should propose a rain dance as well.

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Nick J. Rahall: so it is time to support h.r. 2442 and move forward with practical solutions for a real drought in california. i urge support of legislation and yield back my time to the gentleman from the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. will the gentleman suspend? the chair will receive a

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Nick J. Rahall: message. the messenger: mr. speaker, a message from the senate. the secretary: mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: ms. secretary. the secretary: i have been directed by the senate to inform the house that the senate has