[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT

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                       HON. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2001

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to introduce the Department of 
Environmental Protection Act, important legislation that redesignates 
the Environmental Protection Agency as an executive department in the 
executive branch.
  Like many of my colleagues, I believe the time has come to elevate 
EPA to cabinet-level status. This is not a new idea, but it continues 
to be a good idea. Rep. Jim Florio and I introduced legislation in the 
101st Congress (1988) to elevate the agency. I introduced a similar 
bill again in the 103rd Congress. Several of my colleagues also 
introduced EPA elevation bills and, in 1993, there was significant 
debate surrounding Senate-passed and House Committee-passed bills. The 
problem wasn't so much the concept behind the bill, but the ``baggage'' 
attached to the bill. It became a magnet for controversial provisions 
and pet projects.
  And so, today I'm introducing a baggage-free EPA elevation bill. I 
believe the bill steers clear of controversial issues that could side-
track the broader effort. It also combines features from previous 
legislative efforts, particularly those of the former Chairman and 
Ranking Member of the Government Operations Committee, Representative 
John Conyers and former Representative Bill Clinger.
  The Department of Environmental Protection Act should help start the 
discussion in the 107th Congress. There is at least one bill introduced 
in the Senate. The subject also came up during Administrator Whitman's 
confirmation hearings. But there needs to be much more discussion and, 
most importantly, action.
  It may be an ``old'' idea but it's still a good idea. EPA's mission 
is too critical for the agency not to be an official part of the 
cabinet. The idea was good under a Republican President in the late 
1980's, a Democratic President in the 1990's, and now a Republican 
President at the start of the 21st Century.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the effort.

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