[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           PAPERWORK AND REGULATORY IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2004

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 2004

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union has under consideration the bill (H.R. 2432) to 
     amend the Paperwork Reduction Act and titles 5 and 31, United 
     States Code, to reform Federal paperwork and regulatory 
     processes:

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2432, 
the Paperwork and Regulatory Improvements Act of 2004. The paperwork 
and regulatory burdens on businesses could certainly use improvement. 
Unfortunately, this bill is actually an underhanded way to weaken 
important regulations that protect our clean air, clean water, public 
lands, and workplaces. This bill would diminish, rather than improve 
the process of developing federal regulations by elevating the 
interests of industries over all other considerations. This bill also 
fails to address real current problems in federal regulation, such as 
the pressure on agencies to misuse or ignore science for political 
ends.
  I strongly support the Waxman-Tierney amendment to establish an 
independent commission on the politicization of science in the 
regulatory process. The amendment responds to a growing concern among 
scientists and the environmental community that the Bush administration 
is placing politics above science. Just last month the Bush 
administration issued a new policy that would allow hatchery-raised 
salmon in the Pacific Northwest to be included in wild salmon 
population counts, which could have a significant impact on whether or 
not the species are listed under the Endangered Species Act. It has 
been reported that this was done over the objection of an independent 
panel of scientists commissioned by National Marine Fisheries Service 
to advise them on the issue.
  I am deeply disappointed that H.R. 2432 takes us in the wrong 
direction by advancing a misguided concept that elevates the interests 
of regulated industries over the health of our communities. I 
understand the burden that many businesses, especially small 
businesses, face in filling out government paperwork. This bill, 
however, is more about coming up with excuses to undermine vital 
health, safety, and environmental regulations than about relieving the 
growing paperwork burden.

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