In 1980 Congress created a $1.6 billion, five year Superfund to clean up abandoned toxic waste dumps. Since then, only six dumps have been cleaned up. Out of 19,000 reported dump sites, the EPA has investigated about 2,000, and found that more than half of these threatened to contaminate groundwater used for drinking by millions of people. The tax on chemical manufacturers which finances most of the Superfund does not run out until late 1985, but by the end of 1984 most of the money had already been spent. To speed up the snail's pace of toxic waste cleanup, it was important to expand the Superfund dramatically and immediately.

In 1984, the House debated a bill designed to provide another $10.2 billion for the Superfund. More than two thirds of the money would come from a special five year tax on the oil and chemical companies. The vote is on the Conable amendment which would have ended the industry tax after one year, thus drying up a lot of the future revenues for the Superfund.

Conable amendment rejected 142-205; August 10, 1984. NO is the pro-environmental vote. (Conable amendment to the Superfund Extension, H.R. 5640.) The Reagan Administration supported the Conable amendment. The Superfund Extension passed the House, but died in the Senate.