Elizabeth Furse: “I rise in strong support H.R. 3425. The United States is the only industrialized country that fails to provide the…”

“I rise in strong support H.R. 3425. The United States is the only industrialized country that fails to provide the environment a seat at the Cabinet table. The environment is the one thing that binds together every single human being on this planet. We all rely on the environment for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat. A healthy environment is not a luxury or a special interest; a healthy environment is a prerequisite for national security, for public health, and for a vibrant economy. It is paramount that we ensure that the natural resources upon which we depend for our sustenance and livelihoods are not degraded by overexploitation or pollution. As such, Americans deserve to have a Secretary of the Environment advising their President at Cabinet-level meetings, representing the United States in international environmental agreements, and ensuring that environmental concerns are considered on par with other issues, such as commerce and defense, covered by other Cabinet departments. H.R. 3425 does not create more government; it cleans up existing government. The bill corrects management shortcomings in the EPA by, among other things, requiring the development of a strategic business plan and disallowing frivolous contracting expenses. It will save American taxpayers millions of dollars and greatly improve the Department's effectiveness in protecting environmental and public health.”