Henry Waxman: “When the VA-HUD appropriations bill was passed by the House in July, it contained numerous provisions in the…”

“When the VA-HUD appropriations bill was passed by the House in July, it contained numerous provisions in the accompanying report that were intended to interfere with the implementation of our environmental laws. In the legislation now before us, I see that the conferees have improved most of these anti-environmental riders. However, there is still some potentially damaging language in the bill and I want to mention some of these specific provisions. The report urges EPA to start over in their efforts to clean up air pollution in our national parks. I understand this language was included by the Republicans at the request of coal-burning utilities in Colorado. In the mid 1970s, there was growing public concern regarding air pollution clouding the beautiful vistas of our national parks. As a result, Congress directed EPA to address the problem in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977. After a stalled effort, the program was improved and strengthened in 1990. Unfortunately, just as this program was finally beginning to be implemented, the program was stalled for 9 years by an anti-environmental rider attached to this year's highway bill. The language in the VA-HUD appropriations bill now adds insult to injury by urging EPA to start over and not encourage the States to even plan or think about addressing this serious issue.”