Congressman Morgan Griffith delivered an opening statement on Apr. 28 at a hearing regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) budget request for fiscal year 2027.
The hearing, held by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, focused on President Trump's proposed funding for the EPA and its future direction. The committee is responsible for legislation concerning energy, health care, environmental protection, telecommunications and consumer issues, according to the official website.
Griffith welcomed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin back to testify before the subcommittee. In his prepared remarks, Griffith said: “Today the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment will consider President Trump’s fiscal year 2027 budget request for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.” He continued by expressing appreciation for Zeldin's leadership: “I believe that you have excelled as Administrator, the people across my district have been excited to see the direction that you and President Trump have steered EPA under your Great American Comeback Initiative.”
Griffith also addressed changes in regulatory approaches under different administrations: “It is refreshing to see the Trump Administration take a measured and thoughtful approach to regulation and enforcement, unlike under the previous Administration where the agency operated as a center for pushing uncompromising ideologies.” He highlighted specific actions taken by Zeldin’s administration including repealing certain regulations from prior years: “Under your leadership, EPA finalized a repeal of the Obama Administration’s 2009 so-called greenhouse gas endangerment finding under the Clean Air Act…”
President Trump is requesting $4.2 billion in new budget authority for EPA in fiscal year 2027. According to Griffith’s statement, this proposal includes more than $2.5 billion for environmental management programs, almost $750 million in grant assistance for states and Tribes, over $500 million dedicated to science and technology activities, and $290 million allocated toward Superfund site cleanup.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has influenced policy areas such as energy innovation, broadband deployment and pharmaceutical pricing according to its official website. The committee stands as one of oldest standing committees in Congress with origins dating back to 1795 when it formed as Committee on Commerce and Manufactures.
Concluding his remarks at the hearing attended by Administrator Zeldin, Griffith said: “Thank you again for coming before us today… I look forward to hearing about your priorities for EPA and how Congress can help ensure that we have clean air, clean water, and good jobs.”
