Jason Smith: “Natural Resource Trustees are Federal officials designated by the President to act on behalf of the public to assess…”

“Natural Resource Trustees are Federal officials designated by the President to act on behalf of the public to assess potential damage to natural resources at certain sites. These trustees are authorized to seek compensation for natural resource damages from responsible parties. Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, CERCLA, these funds collected by trustees are currently not subject to appropriation by Congress. Unfortunately, in southeast Missouri, we have seen trustees run amuck. They have used money from settlements in places other than where the funds were intended to remedy, essentially resulting in land grabs by the Federal Government. My amendment would provide congressional oversight in the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process by sending funds collected by the trustees under CERCLA back to the general funds of the Treasury. This amendment is a necessary step in reining in overreach of the Federal Government and reasserting congressional authority, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Minnesota is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr.…”