Earl Blumenauer: “I appreciate the advice of the Chair. They cut spending for the environment, the 300 section, 16 percent; and under the…”

“I appreciate the advice of the Chair. They cut spending for the environment, the 300 section, 16 percent; and under the leadership of Mr. Spratt and the Democrats, we are reversing it. We can't deal with all their problems in just one year, but we are making a good start with over $2.5 billion to deal with the Land and Water Conservation Fund, dealing with cleaning up of superfund sites and toxic waste. But look at the details of what they offer in their alternative later. Mr. Ryan has suggested almost $19 billion of reductions in ag, transportation, and natural resources. These are conservation, these are clean water, these are environmental protection. The contrast could not be more stark. We are investing in America's environmental future. They, if their alternative were adopted, would continue the deterioration, the disinvestment, the attack on America's priorities. I would respectfully suggest that this alone ought to be a compelling argument to reject their alternative offered later and to adopt the Democratic proposal that is before us this evening.”