Moran Statement on Republican Cuts to EPA, Interior
Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat and Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and the Environment, released the following statement in response to the Republican Continuing Resolution.
“The EPA is among the hardest hit agencies under the Republican Continuing Resolution and this will cause real harm to our public health. The programs suffering deep cuts were established to protect the future well-being of our population and our environment.
“Most damaging are the nearly $2 billion in cuts to state revolving funds, which provide grants to states for drinking water, sewage and storm water runoff systems. This does nothing but take the burden of providing clean water to drink and clean air to breathe off the federal government, thrusting it onto the shoulders of hundreds of cities and states already struggling to meet the needs of their constituents.
“The $278 million cut to National Park, Refuge and Forest construction projects will not create jobs; it can only lead to a halt in building and the loss of thousands of private sector employees who work on these vitally needed reconstruction and maintenance projects. As our nation begins to pull out of the recession, we should focus our energy on actions that spur, not restrain, job growth.
“Managing our National Parks and historic sites is a fundamental government responsibility. Nearly 300 million Americans across the country visit our 394 National Park areas each year. The $240 million cut to our National Park Service will be felt by all of our constituents who visit these important historical and breathtaking natural wonders – from our Revolutionary War battlefields to Yellowstone National Park. Tourism revenues from these visits tally in the billions and support local economies and the small businesses that cater to them. These cuts threaten this important part of our tourism industry, hitting all 50 states.
“Cutting wasteful spending is responsible and should be done with a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. The GOP budget is a compilation of rash actions with no regard for the consequences to public health, our environment and ultimately our economy.”
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