Posted on February 6, 2017
Irreversible rollback attempts continue.
While we wait on the confirmation of the next Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Republicans in the House of Representative are working hard and fast to lay the groundwork of eviscerating —if not entirely eliminating the EPA.
The House of Representative’s Science, Space, and Technology Committee is holding a hearing tomorrow forebodingly titled “Making EPA Great Again.”
“The purpose of this hearing is to examine the Environmental Protection Agency’s process for evaluating and using science during its regulatory decision making activities,” said House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith in a recent press release. “EPA has long been on a path of regulatory overreach, and the committee will use the tools necessary to put EPA back on track.”
It gets worse. On Friday, Florida Representative Matt Gaetz introduced H.R.861, a bill to terminate the Environmental Protection Agency. While no action has yet been taken on this new bill, it’s a clear signal that the Republican-controlled 115th Congress is on a mission to implement irreversible regulatory rollbacks that will threaten public health and the environment for years to come.
ADAO knows exactly what happens when industry concerns trump public health. The asbestos industry has dumped millions into funding “independent research” that claims asbestos to be safe. This junk science — aided by weak chemical regulation laws — foiled a 1989 attempt by the EPA to ban the known human carcinogen.
The four Science, Space, and Technology Committee hearing witnesses are:
The Honorable Jeffrey R. Holmstead — Partner, Bracewell LLP
Dr. Kimberly White — Senior Director, Chemical Products and Technology, American Chemistry Council
The Honorable Rush Holt — CEO, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Dr. Richard Belzer — Independent Consultant, 115th Congress
ADAO has submitted a letter expressing our deep concern about this hearing and any legislation to weaken the EPA to both the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX-21) and Ranking Member Eddie Johnson (D-TX-30).
I know we’ve been fighting so hard for so long, and it’s exhausting to keep getting this angry, but we can’t stop now. We must defend the EPA’s committed deference to real science, as the truth is the only defense we have against the deceitful and greedy chemical industry. ADAO vows to remain a stakeholder at the table and to continue informing and educating our community and the public. Your continued support and help spreading the message becomes more invaluable every day — thank you.
In unity,
Linda
Full House Science Committee Hearing- “Making EPA Great Again”
Date:
Tuesday, February 7, 2017 – 11:00am
Location:
2318 Rayburn House Office Building
Witnesses
The Honorable Jeffrey R. Holmstead — Partner, Bracewell LLP
Dr. Kimberly White — Senior Director, Chemical Products and Technology, American Chemistry Council
The Honorable Rush Holt — CEO, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Dr. Richard Belzer — Independent Consultant, 115th Congress