WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump praised the committee’s efforts from last Congress during his speech today:
“The Trump administration has demonstrated that economic growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive principles. We can do both. I am proud that President Trump highlighted our efforts at Energy and Commerce in the last Congress to modernize America’s drinking water infrastructure and reauthorize EPA’s Brownfields program. Because of our work, reforming and reauthorizing these programs, families have safer drinking water and local economies are getting a boost by turning around old sites in communities across the country. We also passed legislation to unleash American energy dominance and investigated bad actors violating our environmental protection standards. As the president said today, these efforts have helped America lead the world in economic productivity and environmental stewardship, but there is more to be done. For instance, we need to improve the way we manage our forests, that’s a real problem that can be addressed right now by taking up my Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2019. The truth is, with policies focused on innovation, conservation, and preparation coupled with a commitment to protecting American jobs, we can continue this progress."
