On the recordJuly 24, 2024
To be clear, I fully support all oversight efforts and believe the mission of the inspectors general across government is vital, but I disagree with the offset and the treatment of the EPA in this bill generally. In the base bill, the EPA is cut by nearly 20 percent. Almost every single account is cut except for the Office of the Inspector General. Quite frankly, the Inspector General's Office does pretty well under this bill. Cutting every single program at the EPA and seeking to increase funding for only one office, which happens to be the oversight office, is a clear attempt by the majority to politicize the Inspector General. That is unacceptable. Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McCORMICK. Mr. Chair, I love the environment. My favorite President is Teddy Roosevelt, a great environmentalist, and my dad was a forest ranger. I grew up with Woodsy Owl and Smokey the Bear. I truly, truly, have a great love for the environment, and I want to make sure we use our funds appropriately. I just reiterate that my amendment reduces funding for the overbearing EPA portion and really increases accountability, which I think is the more important part at this point when we see the abuses of the system. I think it is time for a more efficient and more accountable government. That is what this bill is about. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
