Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. Chair, I would like to just take a brief second and thank the full committee chair and the full committee ranking member for their support as we move forward in this progress, and a special thank you to all the great staff on both sides of the aisle, the Democratic and Republican staff.

But my very special thanks to Chairman Calvert, and once again, for his staff and our staff, for their work in an open and collaborative approach. This committee has a challenging portfolio of issues, and I commend the chairman's efforts to find solutions in yet another difficult budget year.

Unfortunately, the fiscal year 2018 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee allocation is $824 million less than last year's enacted level.

This devastating cut to the allocation shortchanges the protection of our Nation's natural and cultural resources and has real consequences for American families and communities.

Adequate funding for the Interior, Environment division is critical at a time when the Trump administration is attacking the science behind climate change and rolling back regulations that protect the water we drink and the air we breathe.

We are at a defining moment in history. Our lack of action to combat climate change now will impact the world we pass on to our children and grandchildren. We can no longer afford to disregard the overwhelming
scientific evidence that the planet is warming, sea levels are rising, and glaciers are melting.

We have all seen the destruction inflicted by Hurricane Harvey. As the waters recede, the Environmental Protection Agency is playing a key role in keeping Americans safe. Once again, we are reminded of the importance of agencies like the EPA both during times of crisis and on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, EPA receives the most significant programmatic cuts to this division. Slashing the Environmental Protection Agency by $534 million will severely impact the Agency's ability to protect human
health and safety and ensure clean air and clean water for all Americans.

The Agency's budget is already $2.2 billion below FY10 levels. It is irresponsible to cut the EPA even further.

The bill also cuts programs critical to managing public lands and reduces funding necessary for endangered species listing protection. The American people expect us to be good stewards of our public lands and wildlife, but this bill falls short on that commitment.

Despite the bill's shortcomings in environmental protection and resource conservation, I want to express how proud I am of this subcommittee's nonpartisan approach to addressing issues facing our Native American brothers and sisters.

I am pleased that the bill recommends an increase of $108 million over the fiscal year 2017 enacted level for programs critical to Indian Country. The health, education, and safety of tribal communities is a Federal responsibility that our subcommittee takes very seriously. That is one bright spot in this bill.

Unfortunately, this bill falls far short in too many other areas, both as a result of our low allocation and as a result of wildfire suppression costs that are burning a hole in this bill. Since the start of this year, more than 1.1 million acres have burned. As a result, the U.S. Forest Service does not have adequate funding in the current
fiscal year to combat these disasters. They will need to borrow funds from nonfire accounts, making it harder for the Service to conduct preparedness activities to reduce the severity of wildfires. That is why every member of the Interior Subcommittee is a cosponsor of Chairman Simpson's Wildfire Disaster Funding Act.

I am very disappointed that the majority's leadership missed an opportunity to include those commonsense reforms in this legislation. That is why I have called for emergency funding for wildfire suppression activities in the next disaster supplemental.

Finally, in addition to the irresponsible cuts to the EPA and natural resource programs, I must express my concern and disappointment with the partisan riders in this bill that pander to special interests at
the expense of the public good. These riders jeopardize protection and recovery for vulnerable species, restrict protection of our oceans, undermine clean water and clean air safeguards, and even prevent the
development of renewable energy.

Mr. Chairman, this bill is not sufficient to meet the needs of the American people. I know that we can do better than this. Congress needs a bipartisan budget agreement that increases nondefense discretionary spending levels.

Despite my current opposition, I want to be clear that I will continue to work with Chairman Calvert through this year's appropriations process to produce a responsible bill that both parties can support.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. Chairman, thank you for your work on this bill providing funding to critical programs. I appreciate the opportunity to speak about the importance of the Community Services Block Grant. This program funds community action agencies that address poverty and assist seniors and other vulnerable populations in becoming self-sufficient. I have seen, in my district, the valuable services these groups provide helping people find jobs.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source