House Appropriations Committee Cuts EPA -- Putting America’s Children at Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Members of the House Appropriations Committee today voted along party lines for an Environmental Protection Agency budget which would leave large parts of the EPA unfunded and woefully understaffed.

“The actions of the House Appropriations Committee today show that not all members of Congress make our children’s health a priority,” said Elizabeth Thompson, president of EDFAction.

The funding levels in this bill are $528 million lower than the EPA budget approved by Congress just a few month ago for FY 2017, which are already at dangerously low levels.

“The Committee’s cuts take America decades backward in protecting the environment. By setting funding levels at their lowest since the 1980’s, this bill risks reversing generations of progress in providing clean air, cleaner water, and healthier communities for America’s families.”

Today’s bill includes significant cuts to state and tribal assistance grants, science and technology programs and research, efforts to address climate change, and to assist communities facing environmental injustice. It also enables severe staff reductions.  

“In an era where the Administration is turning its back on protecting children’s health, we expect Congress to step in and protect public health. Instead this is the first step in a quest to hollow out the EPA from the inside,” said Thompson. “We urge the full House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to restore EPA funding to at least the levels of the FY 2017 budget.”

The Committee also voted to give polluters of smog a free pass at the expense of American families and communities—just hours after the full House of Representatives voted to delay enforcement of critical smog standards for almost a decade.

An amendment to include a resolution addressing climate change also failed on a party line vote. “Some Republicans say that it is Congress’ role to act on climate change, however with today’s vote they have again fallen short on advancing a bill with provisions to address this important issue,” said Elizabeth Thompson.

You can learn more about what’s at stake with EPA cuts on our website.