Environment emerges as key issue in 1996 election

摘要

Speaking in late October and early November, Clinton administration leaders began to ramp up the role of the environment in their presidential election campaign. With little discussion of their own record, the president and vice president struck out at Republican congressional leaders, highlighting differences between themselves and Republicans in terms of the environment. In a radio address Nov. 4, President Clinton said his message was "clear and simple. Under the cover of balancing the budget, the Republican Congress is going after the essential environmental protections that have guaranteed the health and safety of all Americans for a long time now, and I am determined to stop them." Specifically, he attacked Republican budget and appropriations proposals to add legislative "riders" to limit EPA's authority and cut its budget, particularly enforcement funding.