Senator John McCain (R)

Public Health

Air Pollution [click here to read question thirteen]

"As President of the United States, I would ensure that the Clean Air Act is vigorously enforced, that the national air quality standards are based on sound economic and environmental science, and comply fully with the requirements of the law to protect human health and the environment."

Superfund “Polluter Pays” [click here to read question fourteen]

"I believe in the “polluter pays” concept, but we should be careful to ensure that the term “polluter” is defined as those who actually pollute, not those simply in a business with the potential to do so because of irresponsible or negligent action. Polluted sites that pose a threat to human health and the environment must be cleaned. As President, I will work to ensure that parties responsible for polluted sites are made to pay the bill. In cases where no responsible party can be found and held accountable in a timely fashion, then I will see that ample resources are available to address threats to human health and the environment, efficiently and expeditiously."

Chemical Security [click here to read question fifteen]

"Facilities that use or store toxic chemicals pose a significant homeland security risk that we must address responsibly. Appropriate security standards and contingency plans are essential to fully protect these facilities and their surrounding communities from terrorist attack. We must be careful, however, to ensure that our security strategies are effective and appropriate. A government controlled chemical substitution program or approaches such as requiring the thousands of facilities across the country that use or store chemicals to prove to the government that safer materials don’t exist could become exercises in excessive bureaucracy and paperwork, rather than truly effective and appropriate homeland security requirements. As president, I will work with homeland security authorities, local communities, and stakeholders to ensure that chemical plants and other critical infrastructure, are properly safeguarded and operated to protect our nation’s homeland security, human health, and the environment."

Clean Water Act [click here to read question sixteen]

"The Clean Water Act is one of our most successful environmental laws. Wetlands are a vital component of our natural aquatic ecosystems and should be recognized as such. Among other benefits, they play an important role in mitigating floods, provide key habitat for a variety of flora and fauna, and naturally purify waters around them. I support wetlands protection. As President I will work to develop a wetlands policy that provides necessary protection of our aquatic resources, builds strong and lasting partnerships, and respects local conditions and needs."

Environmental Justice [click here to read question seventeen]

"I believe that federal, state, and local environmental protection and health standards must be vigorously and equally enforced. Fines, penalties, enforcement actions, and prosecutions should be based on the violation, not the racial, ethnic, or economic makeup of where it occurs. I would appoint Justice Department, EPA, and other agency personnel who are committed to vigorously enforcing the law, and who understand the duty of our government to apply the law equally and without prejudice. I would also welcome the ideas and initiatives of community and environmental groups as to how federal, state, and local authorities, along with industry leaders and other stakeholders can work together to better address pollution hotspots that disproportionately affect the health of local residents. We must also address policies that disadvantage lower-income communities that are in need of vital public works projects such as flood control but may be unable to afford the necessary cost-share."

Pesticides and Rural Communities [click here to read question eighteen]

"I believe that adherence to the law, sound science, transparency, and accountability must be hallmarks of the rulemaking process. As president I will ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to express their views fully, fairly, and transparently in rulemaking procedures. Regulatory decisions affecting the health, safety, and welfare for our families must be based on scientific facts and be rendered according to the dictates of the law without prejudice, ulterior motive, or inappropriate influence by any special interest. I also believe that the nation must make a commitment, with the federal government as a research partner, to the development and deployment of effective non-chemical alternatives to pest management."