Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017

Floor Speech

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I would like to thank Chairman Calvert for the warm birthday wishes. But I would also like to thank the chairman and his staff for their open and collaborative approach, and the wonderful staff on the Democratic side who will be helping me this evening.

This subcommittee has had a challenging portfolio of issues, and I commend the chairman's effort to find solutions in another yet difficult budget year.

This year's subcommittee held 14 budget hearings, 4 which involved Native American Indians and Alaska Natives.

The testimony provided by the 209 witnesses clearly articulated the serious need for programs and services under this subcommittee's jurisdiction. Unfortunately, the FY 2017 subcommittee allocation is $64 million less than last year's enacted level. This means the needs of many important programs that are vital to protecting our Nation's natural and cultural resources will not be met as they far outpace a stagnant allocation. Within this constrained top line number, difficult choices had to be made, and, sadly, the majority cut important programs that protect the American public and conserve our natural resources.

The most significant programmatic cut is to the Environmental Protection Agency, which is slashed by $164 million. This cut will impact the Agency's ability to protect human health and the health of our environment and to ensure clean air and clean water for our families and future generations.

This year, the critical need for the EPA was unmistakable as our Nation watched a tragedy unfold in Flint, Michigan, by which children were poisoned by lead in their drinking water. So I find it difficult to reconcile the cuts recommended in this bill with the public health challenges that are faced by this country. Flint is a culmination of years of weakening the EPA through budget cuts and an overreliance on State agencies to manage Federal environmental laws. All of our communities deserve and expect their government to provide clean water and basic public health protections.

Especially in light of Flint, I must strongly object to the majority's decision to reduce funding for clean water by $394 million, which is 28 percent below the 2016 enacted level. Clean water and safe drinking water go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other.

The residents of Flint were betrayed by their State government, and, to this day, they still do not have safe drinking water available from their taps. The levels provided in this bill for the State Revolving Funds are inadequate to deal with the decaying infrastructure in our Nation, no less the emergency in Flint, Michigan.

In addition to the irresponsible cuts to the EPA, I am also troubled by the 30 percent reduction for the Endangered Species Listing. Reducing funding for this program opens the door for litigation, and it delays protecting and recovering vulnerable species.

The bill also shortchanges the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which, since its inception, has protected conservation and recreation land in every State and has supported tens of thousands of State and local projects. Yet, despite its merits, this bill slashes the Land and Water Conservation Fund program by a third.

Despite this bill's shortcomings in the environmental protection and resource conservation areas, I do, however, want to express how very proud I am of this subcommittee's nonpartisan approach in addressing the issues that are facing our Native American brothers and sisters. I am pleased that this bill recommends an increase of $343 million for programs that are critical to Indian Country.

However, I would be remiss if I did not point out, even with this increase, the funding for Native American programs is still $172 million less than the administration's request. Native American and Alaska Native populations face substantial hardships, and when compared to the total population, they have poorer health, lower earnings, and higher rates of poverty.

So we must continue to work together in our efforts to support these communities. That is why I applaud this bill for maintaining our commitment to provide Native American students with safe schools that are conducive to learning and for fully funding contract support costs so that tribes are not penalized for exercising their self- determination rights.

Another bright spot in this bill is the continued support for the National Parks Centennial Initiative. The bill recommends $80 million for the Centennial, which will strengthen the foundation for visitor services and make essential infrastructure investments.

I am also pleased that an additional $3 million is provided for the Civil Rights Initiative grant program and that funding is included for grants-in-aid to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

I especially would like to thank the chairman for working with me to resurrect the Save America's Treasures program. This program funds and preserves nationally significant sites, structures, and artifacts. I am very proud that, in working together, we were able to restart this program, and I will work diligently with the chairman to make sure it is included in the final bill. Unfortunately, this bill neglects to act on many other opportunities to wisely invest taxpayers' dollars.

I am frustrated that the majority has, effectively, left $1.2 billion on the table by not adopting the commonsense reforms that are championed in Chairman Simpson's wildfire disaster funding bill. Every member of the Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies is a cosponsor of that bill--Democrat and Republican alike. Yet, once again, the majority has balked and cites committee jurisdiction. However, those jurisdictional issues did not hinder the majority's including dozens of harmful legislative riders. I must express my concern and disappointment with the 38 partisan riders in this bill. The number is outrageous, and, to me, the nature of the riders that are included panders to special interests at the expense of the public good.

For example, the bill contains a provision that would reverse the safety improvements that were developed following the Deepwater Horizon tragedy. Eleven lives were lost in that explosion. I must express my clear dismay that this bill puts the profits of big oil companies ahead of worker safety. The veto-bait provisions that seek to turn back protections for endangered species, to restrict control of greenhouse gas emissions, and to undermine clean water and clean air protections do not belong in this bill.

I acknowledge and I appreciate the efforts that have been made to accommodate Democratic priorities in this bill. However, I still cannot support this bill as it is drafted. Despite my current opposition, it is my clear intention to continue working with Chairman Calvert through this year's appropriations process to produce a responsible bill that both parties can support. The gentleman has my word on that.

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), the ranking member of the full Committee on Appropriations.

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington State (Mr. Kilmer), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Maine (Ms. Pingree), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, if I could ask Chairman Bishop to a question, I just want to be clear. Is the chairman planning on moving the Carcieri language that has been in his committee for quite a while?

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Oh, I am sorry. Thank you.

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of Ms. Castor's amendment.

This amendment seeks additional funding for the refuge law enforcement, which we saw here the national wildlife refuge highlight the need for adequate law enforcement to protect our national wildlife refuge.

This amendment will also ensure that refuge law enforcement, along with others in the Interior bill who provide law enforcement, will make sure that our visitors and our public employees and our natural resources all remain safe, and especially that these men and women can come home to their loved ones at the end of their shift.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I very strongly oppose this amendment. It takes more money away from an already starved Environmental Protection Agency. The bill severely cuts the EPA's main operating accounts by $92 million; $92 million this bill already cuts from the EPA's operating account.

The very air we breathe and the water we drink are endangered by funding and policy decisions already made in this bill, and their consequences will be negatively felt in communities all across this Nation.

Now, I understand that the EPA is an easy target cut for many of my colleagues across the aisle, but I want my colleagues to understand what this amendment would cut, if adopted.

The account funds programs that are important to both sides of the aisle, including permitting for construction projects across the country, toxics risk prevention, and the very successful brownfields program, as well as pesticide listing.

I appreciate the gentleman's amendment. It shows support for the administration's POWER Plus Plan, which is a program it is modeled after. And I understand that the amendment would direct more funding to States in Appalachia that, I agree, have suffered under the ravaging environmental harm caused by coal mining. But unfortunately, I cannot support a deeper cut to the EPA, and I must oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Ms. McCOLLUM. I look forward to working with the gentleman and with Chairman Calvert on this issue.

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