On the recordJuly 13, 2016
I would encourage this body to support this amendment. If they are in support of holding the power of the purse, support the Article I authority to make sure that Congress would actually appropriate the funds instead of an unelected bureaucrat. This is just bringing back the power that has been delegated in the past and making sure that there is more congressional oversight when this money goes to the U.S. Treasury and that the appropriations process is done. I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I want to state again that this would not allow the Department to distribute jointly recovered funds with co- trustees. It would have a devastating effect in the way the Federal, State, and Tribal governments work together and as they have worked together over the years. It could lead to a reduction of joint future restoration settlements and a splintering of cooperation restoration among co-trustees. And when people work together, we have better outcomes, we have better results, and that saves the taxpayers money. This amendment would clearly limit the Department of the Interior's ability to conduct damage assessments and inland oil spill preparedness by prohibiting the support of restoration work that is paid for by recovered settlement funds under the Superfund. I recommend that the amendment be defeated. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr.…
