Boxer calls Paul’s cross winds resolution ‘one of the worst things’ brought before Senate

Paul’s resolution would have rolled back an EPA regulation that penalizes states for allowing air pollution to drift into bordering states, but it was defeated on Thursday along party lines. Paul sought to repeal the rule over concerns that it would negatively affect American jobs.

Boxer, however, cited his claim as ridiculous.

“Anyone that stands up here in the chamber and tells you that by voting for the Paul resolution you are helping people, don’t fall for it,” she said. “It’s wrong. If anyone comes to this floor and says, ‘oh, this is about jobs,’ it’s wrong. If you can’t breathe you can’t work.”

Boxer, who is chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said several times on the floor that letting air pollution float into neighboring states was like dumping garbage on a
neighbor’s lawn.

“It is immoral to take poison and put it on someone else’s front lawn. It is immoral to walk away from responsibility,” she said.

Boxer also attacked Paul for his earlier statements that those who opposed his resolution were radical hysterics.

“Sen. Paul insulted the people of America … are the groups who support this rule extremist?” she asked. “Does he think Ppresident Richard Nixon was an extremist when he signed the Clean Air Act?”

Boxer concluded by trying to turn Paul’s own words against him, calling his resolution “extreme.”

“All this flailing around of arms and calling people extremists simply cannot erase the facts that what Sen. Paul is doing is extreme,” she said.