2013 N.J. Special Senate Election Debates: on Environment

Steve Lonegan: OpEd: wants to gut environmental regulations

"You may not be able to swim in that river, but it's probably, I think, because of all the bodies floating around of shooting victims in your city," Lonegan shot back.

"Oh my God," Booker said.

In another exchange, Lonegan said the state has poured countless dollars "into a big black hole in Newark."

Booker called Lonegan's tone "insulting."

Cory Booker: Vegetarian because of environmental impact of eating meat

Frank Pallone: Relax restrictions on over-fishing to help fishermen

The bill would poke holes in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the basic law governing fishing in federal waters. The act imposes ambitious timetables for rebuilding fish stocks and gives scientists a say in setting limits.

The bill would allow the government to consider the economic consequences of fishing restrictions, and prolong the deadlines for rebuilding fish stocks. But the fluke fishery--to name one of many--has not yet been rebuilt. The point of Magnuson-Stevens was to give impartial scientists, not self-interested fishermen, a greater say in deciding how many fish to take from the sea. The health of the oceans has never benefited from putting