Rep. Corrine Brown: “I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3425, the Department of Environmental Protection Act, and in support of the rule…”

“I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3425, the Department of Environmental Protection Act, and in support of the rule, but first we must clear the air about the rule. The rule approved by the Rules Committee is fair and open. It allows nine amendments to be considered. These germane amendments include measures to ease unfunded mandates on our local and State governments and to provide ombudsmen for small businesses and local governments within the new Department. This is a good rule for a good bill that will elevate EPA to full Department status. The purpose of the bill is not to change substantive environmental policy; this is an organizational bill. The rule keeps us on point by not allowing nongermane amendments that would change environmental policy or legislation. The question of risk assessment is an important one that President Clinton has already begun to tackle with a recent executive order. This bill, elevating EPA, is not the vehicle to address risk assessment, which will impact many other agencies and departments across our government. I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the EPA elevation bill.”