Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I will start by thanking the chair of the subcommittee for the great work that they did on this bill and for working with us on so many issues. I have one little adjustment I would make that would make the bill even better.

I rise in support of my amendment, which would reduce funding for the Council on Environmental Quality from the 2023 level of $3,750,000 to its currently authorized level of $1 million for fiscal year 2024.

While I do, again, appreciate the Appropriations Committee's efforts to reduce funding for this account by $926,000 from fiscal year 2023 levels, as well as rescind the $62.5 million of funds made available to CEQ by the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, it is my belief that Congress must go further to hold CEQ accountable for their actions.

I am deeply concerned by CEQ's lack of accountability to congressional oversight and their unwillingness to answer basic questions or even answer a letter in a timely manner. Congressional hearings and letters of inquiry are important tools that elected Representatives use to engage directly with administration officials to conduct oversight on policy objectives, openly debate legislation, and spotlight waste, fraud, and abuse occurring in government. These officials have an obligation to be responsive to Congress, engage in the oversight process, and be accountable to the American people.

However, on three separate occasions just this year, CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory has refused to testify before the Committee on Natural Resources. In addition, Chair Mallory's staff, in written emails from just a few months ago, actually questioned the precedent and need for congressional oversight hearings.

CEQ has also failed to respond to basic document production letters, most recently missing yet another deadline on Monday, October 31, for a second request for the production of documents.

I will note for the record that we are not the only committee experiencing frustration with CEQ, and the specific issues we have been seeking answers on since June--well, let's just say that we are not alone in this endeavor. This type of behavior from political appointees in the executive branch is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue.

Mr. Chairman, I come before you today to provide solutions. Working hand in hand with the Appropriations Committee and through the appropriations process, Republicans and Democrats alike should support a reduction in funding to agencies and agency heads that refuse to comply with congressional oversight.

One of the hearings where Chair Mallory refused to appear focused on CEQ's proposed changes to NEPA. These proposed changes have far- reaching impacts and affect countless stakeholders, which would make one think that oversight and transparency would be a high priority for CEQ.

To make matters worse, the changes CEQ is proposing to NEPA stand to increase permitting timelines for all kinds of projects, including energy and infrastructure, and ignore significant changes to the NEPA statute made in the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Some of my colleagues here today might be concerned about the level of funding that is provided by my amendment to CEQ for staffing at the $1 million level. However, the Council is well equipped to function on a much smaller budget, as they have the authority under statute not only to work with outside NGOs but also to detail employees across government to their staff without impacting their budget.

To further emphasize this point, CEQ's governing statute actually encourages the Council to work with public organizations, meaning Federal, State, and local governments, as well as nonprofits, to save money on employees. So why don't we adhere to what the law says?

To recap, my amendment holds up Congress' end of the bargain by providing CEQ with its authorized amount for operations of $1 million for fiscal year 2024 and not $1 more.

Should the Council wish to discuss this matter with Congress, it would be my suggestion that Chair Mallory and her staff become more responsive to our questions and requests for routine oversight.

My amendment would send a clear message to the administration that disregard for congressional oversight and the American people is unacceptable.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would say the only thing slowing down and providing blockades for projects across the country is CEQ and the influence they are having across other organizations. They are unresponsive to Congress. We should stand up for our Article I rights as Members of Congress, cut their funding, and make them more responsive.

Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source