John Sarbanes: “I think you are hearing broad agreement on that point today.”

The health of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed can only continue to improve through robust Federal, state, and local partnerships.

It's a national environmental treasure. It's a regional economic engine. It's been one of my top priorities since I've come to Congress.

Congress gave EPA this role more than 50 years ago under the Clean Air Act and reaffirmed that responsibility in 2005 under the Energy Policy Act.

Without the strong and continued investment the EPA has requested for the Chesapeake Bay Program in fiscal year 2024, the risk is we could jeopardize decades of work in collaboration towards the Bay's restoration.