I’d like to thank Chairmen Calvert and Rogers, as well as my good friend, Betty McCollum, in her first full committee markup as Ranking Member.
While I appreciate the chairman’s willingness to accommodate some Democratic priorities, this is the latest in a series of bills that drastically shortchanges job- creating investments and vital environmental protections while carrying a wish list of special interest giveaways that hurt hardworking American families’ health and safety.
The President proposed to end sequestration through more reasonable and realistic budgeting four months ago, but Republicans have yet to engage on finding a workable solution. How much longer do we have to play this charade before the committee writes bills that could be enacted?
Refusing to adopt a sufficient overall allocation for discretionary investments has led to a bill that severely underfunds far too many priorities.
* The EPA would be slashed $1.17 billion below the President’s request and $718 million below the 2015 enacted level. Such a draconian cut would take EPA investments back to 1997 levels.
* Capital programs are dramatically underfunded with Indian Health Facilities receiving $173 million less than the President’s request.
* Over half a billion dollars in cuts to the state revolving funds endanger our nation’s water infrastructure, cutting 32,000 construction jobs on 207 projects, risking public health with fewer water and drinking water projects.
* The Land and Water Conservation Fund, which conserves irreplaceable lands and improves outdoor recreation opportunities, would be cut by 30% below the current level.
And unsurprisingly, the majority seeks to dismantle critical environmental protections in the bill that are supposed to advance environmental initiatives.
* In a demonstration of solidarity with climate change deniers and the coal industry, the majority would prevent the Administration from advancing new rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
* Despite the fact that it harmonizes existing activities to protect the environment, 2.8 million ocean industry jobs, and $282 billion in GDP generated by ocean industries in coastal states, the National Ocean Policy’s implementation would be blocked.
* Once again, the majority has waged war on the Endangered Species Act, placing politics above science and jeopardizing the protection of precious species. Instead of allowing the U.S. to lead the world to end the trade of ivory, the Fish and Wildlife Service’s efforts would be rolled back.
Given the number of unnecessary riders, it is particularly disappointing that the majority didn’t include our colleague Mr. Simpson’s wildfire bill, an excellent proposal that would improve our ability to prepare for and respond to disasters.
Democrats are more than willing to support bills that include adequate spending levels to grow our economy and that are absent of problematic and unnecessary riders. I hope that as we move forward, this bill makes those investments and sheds misguided policy changes.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
