Water, the Ultimate Resource

摘要

In 1994, led by Representative Newt Gingrich, the Republican Party captured the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years, promising a new Contract With America. Over time much of the contract has come to pass, including a take-no-prisoners review of environmental proposals and, in the words of one enthusiast, House-led "war crimes trials" for government regulators. The contracts legislative agenda targeted environmental programs, led by the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water acts. This proved to be a tactical mistake. While they might have found favor in weakening the more controversial wetland and endangered species programs, the blowback on clean water was unexpected - and overwhelming.