OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 17, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care Environment

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. It is the product of bipartisan negotiations that reflect compromise and a shared desire to fund the Federal Government.

The Interior and Environment section provides $36 billion, which is $437 million more than last year's fiscal year 2019 enacted bill.

We make critical investments in environmental protection, in Indian Country, to public land management, and the arts.

Here are a few highlights: $43 million for PFAS research to set standards for clean drinking water and for cleaning up PFAS; an additional $24 million for EPA enforcement and compliance activities, the first increase in a decade; the largest increase in a decade for the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, each funded at $162 million; and the Land and Water Conservation Fund is at the highest level since 2003, with $495 million in new funding.

The bill enhances the EPA's ability to protect human health and the health of our environment, providing $9.08 billion, the second-highest level ever for the agency. An all-time high for environmental justice funding is included at over $10 million.

It also provides record funding for the endangered species program at a time when 1 million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction.

We continue our subcommittee's nonpartisan approach to issues facing our Native American brothers and sisters by investing in programs critical to the health, safety, and well-being of Native peoples.

In the bill, we are serious about addressing the climate crisis and recognize the importance of science in understanding how our planet is changing. We prioritize funding by providing $52 million for renewable energy development and $416 million for climate change research and adaptation activities, a $30 million increase.

Programs in the Interior bill impact all of us, preserving our natural and cultural heritage to ensure the air we breathe and the water we drink is clean not only for today but for future generations.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill. I wholeheartedly thank staff on both sides for their help in making this happen.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward