Congress Must Fully Fund the Environmental Protection Agency – EDF Action
Statement of EDF Action President Elizabeth Thompson July 12, 2017
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Today the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment will consider a bill to fund the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Fiscal Year 2018. The draft bill the subcommittee is reviewing includes significant program cuts at EPA, including cuts to state and tribal assistance grants and to science and technology programs.
“We urge the members of the subcommittee to oppose any cuts to EPA from current levels. The American people depend on a well-funded EPA to help provide clean air, clean water, and a safe climate. Any cuts to EPA’s already historically low budget – which has been cut 25 percent since 2010 – would put our children’s health at risk.
“Members of the subcommittee should fully fund critical programs, including the grants states depend on to protect American families. EPA must also have the resources needed carry on its proud history of science-based policymaking, to enforce our nation’s clean air and water laws, and to protect children, the elderly, and other vulnerable populations from dangerous air pollution, radon, lead, and hazardous chemicals.
“We urge Congress to pass a clean bill, without riders. Provisions in the current draft legislation such as the ‘Smoggy Skies Act’ would give our nation’s worst polluters a free pass at the expense of American families and communities.
“As head of the EPA, Administrator Scott Pruitt has shown his determination to hobble the agency and its critical mission. Congress must hold him accountable, and ensure that EPA is not only fully funded, but willing and able to carry out its mission of protecting the American people. Our lawmakers should provide clear direction that no major reorganizations, reductions-in-force, or personnel reassignments should be permitted without Congress’ explicit consent.”
- Elizabeth Thompson, president, EDFAction.
You can learn more about what’s at stake with EPA cuts on our website.
