[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          URGING MEMBERS' SUPPORT OF EPA CABINET LEVEL STATUS

  (Mrs. MORELLA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, today the House considers raising the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency to Cabinet status. I support this 
elevation of the EPA, and I urge my colleagues to vote for Cabinet-
level status. This move recognizes the importance of environmental 
protection in our country and in our negotiations with the other 
nations of the world. On November 3, I joined Vice President Gore, 
Administator Browner, Chairman Conyers, Congressmen Boehlert 
and Porter and other in a bipartisan introduction of H.R. 3425. Indeed, 
this legislation was first introduced in 1988, and it was supported by 
President Bush, who would have signed it into law if Congress had 
passed it. The bill addresses Cabinet status and needed management 
reforms at EPA. It is a good bill that deserves support.
  It does not deal with policy issues, which will be debated at another 
more appropriate time. Since 1791, the fifth amendment has protected 
private property rights and has required just compensation when 
property is taken for public use. When Congress considers Superfund or 
the Clean Water Act, there will be opportunities to debate policy 
issues.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues not to be side-tracked by 
discussions on environmental regulations in this bill. Let us give the 
EPA its place at the Cabinet table and vote for passage.

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