Washington, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered remarks at a Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on the mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Excerpts and highlights from her remarks:
On the Mission of the EPA
“EPA’s core mission is to protect human health and the environment. This mission is bipartisan. We all want clean air, soil, and water. Our oversight of the EPA should be central to ensuring the agency strives to improve people’s lives-especially for the American worker.
“Unfortunately, today is not about oversight. It’s about politics. If we want real oversight of the EPA, we need to hear from those who can testify about the direct effects of heavy-handed regulation. Our hearing should not be so tilted toward the opinions of EPA alumni.
“We need to hear about what is actually happening now. President Biden promised “trust and transparency" when he took office, yet his EPA priorities remain a secret. The American people deserve answers.
“Rather than hold a hearing to score political points, we should be hearing from current officials so we can get those answers."
On the Left’s ‘Rush to Green’
“Dr. Deskins, I am thankful you are here to lend your expertise on how the Left’s rush to green will hurt America’s energy reliability, affordability, and national and economic security. I am disappointed the Majority prevented us from a more balanced panel.
“Congressman Kelly Armstrong’s (R-ND) constituent, Mr. Carroll Dewing of North American Coal, was willing to offer a unique on-the-ground perspective, but he was not allowed to testify. If he were allowed to do so, we would have heard about the real lost jobs and lost wages caused by President Biden’s executive orders. I am disappointed the Majority decided to silence such an important voice."
On the Trump Administration’s EPA Accomplishments
“For too long, the Left has pursued unworkable climate policies that destroy jobs, put our economic growth at risk, and cede our global power to China. In contrast, President Trump demonstrated that you can pursue environmental protection while having economic growth.
“Under President Trump, we experienced the cleanest air in recorded history. In 2019, the U.S. had the largest absolute decline of energy-related carbon emissions of ANY country in the world-and it was driven by American innovation, not Green New Deal style mandates or other economy altering solutions offered by our Democrat friends.
“The Trump administration made great strides in addressing legacy pollution too. In fact, in four years the Trump EPA delisted and removed the same number of sites from the National Priorities list as the Obama-Biden administration did in eight.
“The Trump EPA also assisted vulnerable communities with hundreds of millions of dollars for cleanup, job creation, and economic development through brownfields grants.
“Because of Republican leadership, we saw over the last four years significant efforts to provide Americans with clean air, soil, and water."
On the Policies of the Biden Administration
“My sincere hope was that President Biden would not return to the standard top down, heavy handed playbook and ignore the science and results that show a clean environment can be compatible with economic growth and job creation. On his first day in office President Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline. He put thousands of workers out on the street without a job in the middle of a pandemic. As the head of the AFL-CIO put it, quote: “I wish he hadn’t done that on the first day… because it did and will cost us jobs."
“Building on that disastrous decision, President Biden paused oil and gas drilling on public lands. With just a few strokes of the pen, President Biden’s actions weakened our nation’s energy security while doing little to actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“It’s a climate plan that makes America energy-dependent on others again and benefits the Chinese Communist Party. This is not how America leads to win the future.
“Rather than focus on punitive regulatory actions, we should incentivize American ingenuity and leadership to solve our environmental and energy issues. We can address climate change risks through innovation, conservation, adaptation, and preparation, so families have reliable and affordable energy too.
“Let’s work together to reduce barriers to unleash American innovation for new technologies and capabilities to solve not only our environmental challenges of today, but of the future."
