On the recordJuly 11, 2019
So we have been attacking the administration of the Department of Defense saying they can't do their job, they don't meet the IG standards, and now we are going to put them in control of air emissions and clean air standards. That is what this does when you allow amendments to a bill that are not germane to the underlying committee. Last, provisions require the U.S. Geological Survey to come up with PFAS detection performance standards, instituting a nationalized sampling program at PFAS-contaminated sites and own the results. Yet the Environmental Protection Agency, which only has a minor ability to consult role, has statutory responsibility for cleanup sites. USGS will be messing around with and will be dependent upon the USGS to obtain its data. So it is the EPA that is responsible for cleanup, but we are going to give the U.S. Geological Survey the responsibility. Many of these amendments are not germane to the defense authorization or have received process to ensure they don't create problems. Quality work in these areas would have followed regular order. Americans deserve that we are as careful doing our jobs as they are doing theirs. We mentioned this in the other amendment. I am working with Chairman Tonko to address perfluorinated compounds. It is a very difficult issue. We have experts in the majority; we have experts in the minority that deal with chemicals. This is not the place to do it, and I would ask people to vote against the amendment en bloc.
