Bush, George H. W. Administration

On november 15, 1990, president george h. w. bush signed amendments of the Clear Air Act—an act written by congressional Democrats—into law, and declared in the East Wing of the White House that “polluters must pay.” While campaigning against democrat Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts, Bush accused his opponent of being lax on pollution in Boston Harbor, declaring that Dukakis delayed and caused the harbor to get “dirtier and dirtier.” President Bush also declared in 1988, “I am an environmentalist; always have been and always will be.” Bush claimed he would aggressively enforce environmental laws and standards. In many ways, Bush realized this campaign promise. Recognizing their vital, long-term importance in sustainable development, he created a “no net loss” policy toward wetlands and development that required ...