June 21, 2000

The Honorable Tom Bliley
Chairman
Committee on Commerce
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

On October 13, 1999, the Committee on Commerce considered and ordered reported H.R. 2580, the "Land Recycling Act of 1999," which comprehensively amended the Comprehensive, Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund). It is my understanding that the report was ready for filing in mid-November 1999 -- about seven months ago -- but that, at the request of the Speaker, you have not filed the report. Although I strongly oppose this bill, I believe the Rules of the House should be followed.

The fact that the Committee’s report has not been filed, printed, and referred to the proper calendar in almost seven months is highly irregular. House Rule XIII, clause 2(b)(1) states:

"It shall be the duty of the chairman of each committee to report or cause to be reported promptly to the House a measure or matter approved by the committee and to take or cause to be taken steps necessary to bring the measure or matter to a vote."

Republican members were recorded on anti-environment votes during the Committee consideration of this legislation. For example, most voted to weaken the protective cleanup levels established by the Safe Drinking Water Act for three of the most prevalent contaminants found in the groundwater at toxic waste sites. Each of the contaminants is used by the dry cleaning industry and is classified as a possible or probable human carcinogen.

It would be regrettable if the public were to infer from the delay that access to information on these votes was being hindered. I urge you to file the Committee’s report as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

JOHN D. DINGELL
RANKING MEMBER

cc: Mr. Charles Johnson
House Parliamentarian