There are over 100,000 plants and factories discharging their wastes into our rivers and lakes. In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it will cost over $100 billion just to properly treat municipal sewage. And even if we succeed in reducing pollution from these sources, we must also begin controlling "runoff" from our roads and farmlands, which accounts for a large portion of America's water pollution problem.

This vote was on the Pursell (R-MI) Amendment to cut $6 billion from spending on water pollution control over five years. Cuts of that size would have not only set back efforts to treat municipal sewage, but could have crippled newly created programs to control "runoff" pollution in lakes, estuaries and underground drinking water supplies.

Pursell Amendment rejected 207-219; July 23, 1985. NO is the pro-environmental vote. (Pursell Amendment to H.R. 8, Clean Water Act Reauthorization.) The Reagan Administration supported the Pursell amendment. Both the House and Senate passed legislation extending the Clean Water Act in 1985, but final passage did not occur until October 1986. Although passed by both Houses unanimously, President Reagan pocket-vetoed the bill after the 99th Congress adjourned.