Secret Science Reform Act of 2015

Floor Speech

RREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1030, the Secret Science Reform Act of 2015.

Last December, the EPA proposed a new regulation that is widely predicted to be the costliest regulation in U.S. history--I repeat, the costliest U.S. regulation in history. It would actually cost our economy $140 billion per year, according to the National Association of Manufacturers--manufacturers, you know, those who manufacture or make things.

I like to say the things that make America great are the things that America makes. Likewise, in these hard economic times, more Americans will make it in America when more things are made in America.

Therefore, regulations that hamper manufacturing should really be scrutinized, and regulations that have such a big impact on our economy should not be based on secret science in order to sell it to the American people. Unfortunately, the EPA has prevented outside researchers from accessing the data behind recent regulatory decisions. The public is just supposed to trust the EPA. Apparently, their policy is trust, but evade your eyes; we want a policy that says trust, but verify.

It is long past time that Congress increases transparency into the EPA's regulatory process. The Secret Science Reform Act would prohibit the EPA from proposing or finalizing regulations based upon science that is not transparent or available for independent review. Our constituents have a right to know whether EPA's regulations are based on sound science and have the stated benefits the Agency claims they have.

The legislation is simple, it is straightforward, and it is a message that government bureaucrats cannot propose costly regulations without the transparency that the American people deserve. We want more Americans and more American companies to make it in America.

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