Chellie Pingree: “Once again, this is a terribly misguided amendment to completely defund and eliminate the Council on Environmental…”

“Once again, this is a terribly misguided amendment to completely defund and eliminate the Council on Environmental Quality. I appreciate the remarks by the chair that, while in different administrations, we may feel differently about the kinds of decisions or the tactic taken, but we understand the importance of this particular agency, and defunding it would be absolutely the wrong move. I appreciate the gentleman who sponsored this amendment, his desire to fund the national parks, and we have a way to do that. Just go against the cuts that are made in this bill, vote against the Interior Appropriations bill, and we will make sure that, in a future iteration of this bill, we fully fund the national parks. I appreciate his understanding the importance of making sure that funding is available. As to this amendment, this is a bad amendment. Mr. Chair, I oppose the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. {time} 1215 The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes appeared to have it.”