[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 186 (Monday, November 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H13358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address to House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that the Federal 
Government is back to work today and that there was agreement on the 
continuing resolution to keep the Government working. I am also happy 
that one of the principles that was articulated by President Clinton 
and included in that continuing resolution was adequate funding for the 
environment.
  We must make sure that in these budget negotiations that take place 
over the next few weeks that there is adequate funding for the 
environment. One of the concerns I have is that late today we will be 
taking up an appropriations bill on the EPA which does not provide 
sufficient funding for the environment. The bill undermines protection 
of the environment, increasing associated health risks by significantly 
decreasing EPA funding by about 20 percent with enforcement being the 
hardest hit in terms of cuts, almost 25 percent.
  I have always taken the position that it is great if we have all good 
environmental laws on the books. But if we do not have the money to 
enforce them, to make sure that the polluters are not out there 
violating the laws, then there is no point in having those laws on the 
books.
  I hope that we defeat this bill today and that it serves as an 
example of why we have to provide adequate funding in the budget for 
the environment.

                          ____________________