Thank you, Chairman Calvert, Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member McCollum, for your work on this bill.
When we began considering bills without allocations, Democrats warned that the Republican plan would lead to insufficient funding in bills considered later in the markup cycle. We are now seeing the consequence of the Republican proposal, which departs from the bipartisan agreement achieved just a few months ago in the omnibus.
For example, the bill before us would cut important public health programs like the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds by $150 million each below their FY18 enacted level. The bill would also cut the EPA by $100 million, restricting the agency’s ability to protect the air we breathe and water we drink.
And, once again, the majority has included harmful policy riders aimed at gutting environmental and conservation efforts, including attacks on clean water and air regulations, removing Gray Wolves from the endangered species list, and withdrawing the Waters of the United States rule, knowing these are non-starters for Democrats.
I am also concerned funding to reorganize the Department of Interior is based on a proposal that is poorly planned, lacks analysis, and is widely opposed by tribes.
While there are some good things that I thank the chairman for, such as $12 million for the Long Island Sound geographic program and restoring funding for the Endocrine Disruptor Program and National Heritage Areas, Democrats cannot support a bill that jeopardizes public health for future generations.
I hope we can improve this bill as the process moves forward.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
