The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RISK ASSESSMENT AND COST-BENEFIT ACT OF 1995” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E647 on March 21, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RISK ASSESSMENT AND COST-BENEFIT ACT OF 1995
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speech of
HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, February 27, 1995
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1022) to provide regulatory reform and to focus national economic resources on the greatest risks to human health, safety, and the environment through scientifically objective and unbiased risk assessments and through the consideration of costs and benefits in major rules, and for other purposes:
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1022, the Risk Assessment and Cost Benefit Act.
H.R. 1022 is not a regulatory reform bill as the new Republican leadership claims. It is an attempt by supporters of the Contract On America to destroy environmental protections which the American people fought for long and hard. Landmark environmental legislation such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the endangered Species Act will be superseded by H.R. 1022, leaving our air, water, and wildlife unprotected.
Under H.R. 1022, 12 Federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Department, and the Interior Department will be required to follow a single set of new, government-wide principles for risk assessment activities in order to carry out their regulatory responsibilities. This one-size-fits-all approach to risk assessments will prevent Federal officials from developing sound public policy. Instead, H.R. 1022 will lead to long delays of important environmental protection programs, and more red tape.
Mr. Chairman, this bill will impact not only our nation's environment, but our nation's taxpayers as well. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that risk assessment proposals similar to H.R. 1022 would cost affected federal agencies $250 million annually. H.R. 1022 does not contain provisions to offset the bill's potential costs. Therefore, it will result in increasing the deficit or cutting desperately needed funds for education and other social programs.
Mr. Chairman, it seems that lawyers are the only ones who benefit from H.R. 1022. The bill opens up numerous new pathways for litigation, and it gives lawyers interested in holding up valuable environmental regulations a powerful new tool to prolong agency actions.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose the Republican leadership's efforts to hamper the government's ability to protect the environment. Vote no on H.R. 1022. Thank you.
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