Paperwork and Regulatory Improvements Act of 2004
PAPERWORK AND REGULATORY IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2004 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 02, 2004)
SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2004
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union has under consideration the bill (H.R. 2432) to amend the Paperwork Reduction Act and titles 5 and 31, United States Code, to reform Federal paperwork and regulatory processes:
Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2432, the Paperwork and Regulatory Improvements Act of 2004. The paperwork and regulatory burdens on businesses could certainly use improvement.
Unfortunately, this bill is actually an underhanded way to weaken important regulations that protect our clean air, clean water, public lands, and workplaces. This bill would diminish, rather than improve the process of developing federal regulations by elevating the interests of industries over all other considerations. This bill also fails to address real current problems in federal regulation, such as the pressure on agencies to misuse or ignore science for political ends.
I strongly support the Waxman-Tierney amendment to establish an independent commission on the politicization of science in the regulatory process. The amendment responds to a growing concern among scientists and the environmental community that the Bush administration is placing politics above science. Just last month the Bush administration issued a new policy that would allow hatchery-raised salmon in the Pacific Northwest to be included in wild salmon population counts, which could have a significant impact on whether or not the species are listed under the Endangered Species Act. It has been reported that this was done over the objection of an independent panel of scientists commissioned by National Marine Fisheries Service to advise them on the issue.
I am deeply disappointed that H.R. 2432 takes us in the wrong direction by advancing a misguided concept that elevates the interests of regulated industries over the health of our communities. I understand the burden that many businesses, especially small businesses, face in filling out government paperwork. This bill, however, is more about coming up with excuses to undermine vital health, safety, and environmental regulations than about relieving the growing paperwork burden.