We are now on track to have enough vaccine supply for all American adults by the end of May, 2 months earlier than prior projections.

As we just passed the 1-year anniversary of the national emergency, it is really difficult to fathom the devastating loss that we endured.

President Biden is also focused on the wellbeing of children and families, recognizing the need for students to return to in-person school as soon and safely as possible.

I just think that is unfair, and it is, in my opinion, beneath the office that you hold.

We are here today to continue our critical effort--or oversight of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the United States.

Vaccine hesitancy and access disparities persist. As I said, we have to work together to address these disparities.

We still must remain vigilant. We can't become complacent now.

Last week President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law. And this obviously invests in the tools and resources needed to crush the virus.

The Biden administration has taken decisive action to get the COVID-19 vaccination effort back on track.

This committee will continue to do its part by continuing our bipartisan oversight over this critical subject.

The American Recovery Act, which was just passed by Congress and signed into law last week, further will help us boost vaccinations and testing across the country.

Thanks to the Biden administration's efforts, we have already seen encouraging results. More than 70 million Americans have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Today the subcommittee continues its oversight of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

At this critical moment, we have no time to lose.

Starting on day one, the Biden administration has shown a desire to get EPA's mission back on track.

Today, we continue this subcommittee's long record of oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Thank you so much, Congresswoman. And I want to add my thanks to every single one of our witnesses for their participation in today's hearing.

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing will now come to order.

the fact that so many times the science was stifled, not for policy reasons so much as political, has been--really eroded the confidence.

When extreme weather and environmental catastrophes hit, frankly it is often the most vulnerable populations that bear the brunt.

But it will take a sustained effort by EPA, stakeholders, and Congress if EPA is to succeed in its mission of protecting public health and the environment.

Given the importance and scope of EPA's mission, this is an Agency that we cannot afford to neglect, and that is truer today than ever.

Scott Peters from California will be the vice chair of this committee for this Congress.

Every year climate change is contributing to an extended hurricane and wildfire season, threatening billions of dollars in catastrophic losses.

The protections cannot just be on the books. They have to be enforced.