Take you to a conversation on islamic extremism at the Washington Institute for near east policy. We will be there live at 12 30 p. M. Eastern right here on cspan2. Until then well show you epa administrator scott promotes testimony from yesterday on the president s 2010 budget request for his agency. This House Appropriations subcommittee hearing runs about two hours. The committee will come to order. Good morning. Today we continue to keep all those affected by yesterdays events including our colleague Steve Scalise in our thoughts and prayers. We applaud the Capitol Police for the continued efforts to be the first line of defense to serve and protect all members, Public Servants and visitors here to the hill. We have a few of them here today with us. Thank you for all the work that you do. We thank you. Turning our attention to the hearing we are joined by the 14th administrator of the Environmental Protection agency scott pruitt. We have of all our members congratulations on your confirmation. Your joint a distinguished group. Group. Look for to hearing your vision in which wiki to provide the resources necessary to manage an important agency. Were also joined by holly greaves, Senior Advisor to the administrator. I believe this is your first time testifying before the committee as well. Welcome to both of you. Before we dive into the specifics, administrator pruitt, you have a tough job here today. Overall the present fiscal year 2010 budget proposes to ship 54 billion from nondefense spending the defense side of the ledger. Those are tough top lines to meet your committee tough choices when necessary under to meet those targets. Earlier this morning i along with the Ranking Member, and of the members of subcommittee discussed the Defense Budget at the hearing with secretary mattis. That conversation further underscored the need for additional funding to support our troops and overall u. S. Readiness. I certainly wholeheartedly support that goal. However, enacting 54 billion in nondefense program cuts in one fiscal year is an untenable proposition. Propose cuts of this magnitude put agencies and important tasks at risk i suspect that may be a comical take that you probably hear from other cabinet officials and may hear from congress throughout the budget process. And thats what its necessary i hope at some point that the administration, senate and house come together and come up with a budget agreement before we can have a common goal that we can work with. Nonetheless we appreciate your being here today to defend the budget proposes to reduce funding by 2. 4 billion. In many instances of Budget Proposal, proposes to significantly reduce or terminate programs that are vitally important to each member on this subcommittee. For example, the diesel Emission Reduction grants are essential to improving air quality in my home state of california. So are the target airship grants but the budget fails to support the targeted airship grants and grants are proposed to receive 83 reduction. The Superfund Program while considered an infrastructure priority for the president is reduced by 31 . This reduction will most certainly impact new cleanups and slow ongoing cleanups. These are all proposals that we are unlikely to entertain. Further, the budget proposes to significantly reduce other important state grants while asking states to continue to serve as principal leads to implement allocated a prime of the programs. Finally, most Geographic Programs are proposed for termination. This is perhaps not how you personally woodcraft epas budget but its the budget you have to defend here today. Im pleased the budget supports the healthy investment and Water Infrastructure, a priority of this subcommittee. It maintains funding for the clean water and Drinking Water state involving funds that currently but continues to fund the new program. These are both programs that create construction jobs in every state and every congressional district. As you know i find support the Program Given the ability to leverage additional sources of funding. To be a game changer to stem growing backlog of need for improved Water Quality and a nice complement to the srs. Turning to policy, we all want clean air and clean water, and a strong robust economy. My constituents in california demand both a healthy and private at job creation. Its not an either or proposition are in Southern California we make tremendous improvements in our air quality over the past number of decades. Its important that we continue to look for way too cleaner air. I supported epas decision last week to recalibrate the interpretation of the 2015 ozone standard so that we can ensure our clean air efforts are carried out in an effective manner. I remain as committed as ever to providing resources to support proven programs that actually reduce particulate matter in ozone and doing so improve Health Outcomes in the impacted areas. And last years epa budget hearings, the subcommittee raise concerns that statutory obligations were given insufficient attention. While new regulations were prioritized. I think its fair to say that you bring a refreshing new perspective to that position. We look for to hearing that perspective today. Its my hope that was before we can Work Together in coordination with our state, local and tribal partners to find sound solutions to tackle the challenges before us. I know all members are eager to discuss various issues with you so i will save additional remarks for the period following your testimony. I am please now to get to my friend, the distinguished Ranking Member, ms. Maccallum. Thank you, mr. Chairman. In good morning administrator pruitt. The Environmental Protection agency is responsible for protecting human health, the environment, clean air and clean water for families and children. A budget you have come with before us today to support would endanger the health of millions of americans, jeopardize a called of air and water, and wreak havoc on our economy. Trump Administration Fiscal year 2018 budget abandons epas responsibilities to the American People by proposing a 2. 4 billion cut. A 30 cut. The last time the epa appropriations was this low was 1990. The administration would set the agency back 30 years ago the complex environmental challenges we face today. Mr. Trump campaign d last year n an agenda that included allowing companies to pollute our air and water and or land turkey embraced climate deniers, ridiculed science and promised to surrender americas Global Leadership on Climate Change. Now mr mr. Tam is president trup and is putting his antienvironment agenda into action. Executive orders have directed the government to ignore significant cost to pollution and Climate Change to our economy. The republican pass legislation that was signed into law that stopped epa role to keep coal mining waste out of our water. And that waste is toxic. The most recent most reckless action in my opinion was the withdrawal from the paris climate agreement which is made United States a rogue environmental nation. When it comes to working on the planets climate challenge. This budget of the latest expression of the administrations willful denying of climate science. The epas website and i quote from says the earth is currently getting warmer because people are adding heat trapping Greenhouse Gases to the atmosphere. Thats the end of the quote. Yet this budget ignores that science and cuts funding for Climate Change programs 91 . This budget cut also includes cuts so deep that 47 programs are eliminated. Many are widely supported and relied upon by industry. One example is the energy star which is give customers an estimated 430 billion on utility bills since 1992. Realtors, manufacturers, builders, retailers, they all want the epa to continue this program. The budget also propose eliminating successful programs as the chair mentioned like the great lakes, puget sound, Chesapeake Bay to economic generators for local communities here for every one dollar invested in great lakes restoration, there is two dollars returned benefits. These programs give the american taxpayer a great deal in return, and they also protect the resources while creating jobs and promoting growth. The Trump Administration has shown its contempt for sites both t through this budget and o policy decisions. The budget proposed to cut the epas office of research and development by 237 million, or 46 . This office provides the foundation for credible science to safeguard human health from environmental pollution. Administrator pruitt, under your leadership the epa dismissed work done by scientists in the office of research and development when you canceled a ban on a harmful pesticide. I have a letter from the American Academy of pediatrics which they asked the epa to protect Vulnerable Children and pregnant women from exposure to this pesticide. Because of this pesticide damages childrens brains. Yet the evidence was disregarded. Evidence from doctors and scientists, and now this budget would stifle your office that provides the scientific analysis within the epa. The budget also cut state agencies funding, proposing that the grants be cut 44 . Thats 469 million. These cuts will cripple states ability to implement core Environmental Programs that protect Public Health. But i would be remiss if i did not call attention to the agencies workforce. This budget proposes to cut nearly 3800 employees. These are frontline scientists, experts, and enforcement officers to protect the American People from toxins, carcinogens, radioactive waste, led in water and other dangerous chemicals. We owe them a debt of gratitude every time we turn on the tap water in which we drink from. It is safe. And as we know, mr. Chairman, President Trump can propose this destructive budget, and administrator pruitt can cover and defend or promote it, but it is congress and this committee will determine epas funding. On may 5 President Trump signed into law fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriation bills. 178 democratics and 131 republicans voted together to find the epa on a level which sustains the agency, supports a skilled federal workforce and protects Public Health. Mr. Chairman, i want to thank you for working with democrats to achieve that very positive outcome for our nation as we move forward i know we will once again rely on each other to have a positive working relationship, and i know i can count on you. However, want to be clear about support and an inferior to me that finds epa below the 2017 crew member. And let me close with this example of why i feel so passionately about that. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Mr. Pruitt, this budget proposes to eliminate funding for the epas Radon Program which educates americans and saves lives. And this committee both democrats and republicans have always worked together to support radon. So as a member of congress i believe we cannot allow the harm be done to American People that this budget would inflict. And i think the chairman for the time, and i yield back. I think the gentlelady. Mr. Prisonhouse and will be a short but i recognize ms. Molloy. Thank you. Thank you v ery much, mr. Chairman. And Ranking Member mccollum, for holding this hearing. And welcome administrator pruitt. Pruitt. Ive been eagerly awaiting your testimony before the subcommittee. Ill get straight to it. The fiscal year 2018 budget request for epa is a disaster. You requested 5. 655 billion, a staggering 2. 4 billion below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. A cut of more than 30 . While you claim most of these cuts will be part of a substantial reduction in workforce, would surely impact the epas ability to fulfill its Critical Mission of protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink. Between your disturbingly close ties to the oil and gas industries, your past work to directly undermined the epa and skepticism that human activity plays a role in Climate Change, i suppose its surprisin surpriy didnt propose to eliminate the agency altogether. Lets be clear. Members of congress from both sides of the aisle, scientists, Business Leaders and the vast majority of americans agree, manmade Climate Change is real and it poses a threat to our planet that must be confronted quickly and seriously. Here are the facts. Facts. Carbon emissions are creating holes in our ozone layer and contributing to changing and often dangerous weather patterns around the world. Climate change has manifested as catastrophic events that threaten our National Security and the livelihoods of american families. Yet this administration is burying its head in the sand, and according to a new poll conducted Washington Post abc news, 59 oppose President Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which has ensured a unified Global Response to combat Rising Carbon Dioxide levels in our atmosphere. A substantial 55 of people surveyed feel this decision has hurt u. S. Leadership in the world. Your budget request further demonstrates a willful ignorance to the pressing threat that Climate Change poses. Among the most egregious reductions and eliminations are a reduction of over 300 million for the Hazardous Substance superfund, the elimination of over one dozen regional programs, including the Long Island SoundGeographic Program and the nearly 50 reduction in Scientific Research and development. We have a moral responsibility to safeguard our planet and ensure that our children and grandchildren have a healthy future. This budget would fall short of this obligation. I do hope that congress will reject in a bipartisan way this dangerous budget, and instead adopt spending bills that would invest in combating Climate Change, keeping our air and our water clean, and creating jobs, creating jobs for the 21st century economy, especially green jobs of the future. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Okay. Mr. Pruitt, administrator pruitt, thinks are being here today, and please, you are recognized for your opening remarks. Well, good morning, chairman calvert, Ranking Member mccollum, members of the subcommittee. Its good to be at this morning and i think for the opportunity to discuss the epas proposed budget. Im joined the table as you indicated mr. Chairman, by holly greaves. She serves as a Senior Advisor to me on budget and audit. I do want to join you, mr. Chairman, in expressing my prayers for your college with respect to what occurred yesterday. I pray for the recovery of the protection as we go forward, editors want to share that with you and members of the committee. Thank you. With the budget being the focus today, i thought it important to note its in a born work we do at the agency to bring it back to its core mission. Specifically, as part of our back to the basics agenda were focus on air at him and proving an allday, clean water and fixing our data infrastructure, clean up contaminated land and carrying out the important updates that this Congress Passed last year. Getting rid of of the chemical backlog that existed with which you are very familiar. When i begin at the agency i sent three Core Principles by which were going to operate and make decisions. The first is a focus on rule of law. We are reversing an attitude and an approach that would consent to reimagine authority under statutes passed by this body. I believe federal agencies is to administer the loss as passed by congress. It is congress has the authority to pass statutes and give agency the direction on the right mental object as we seek to achieve. Any action but epa that exceeds that authority granted to by congress by definition cannot be consistent with the agencies mission. Along the spectrum of law were focus on process. Over the less Abusive Agency is engage in rulemaking to consent decrees, sue and social practices, guidance documents, regulation through litigation something we will not continue at the epa. We will make sure processe procs respected and implement it so people across the country can have voice, due process as we adopt regulations and impact the environment in a very positive way. We are em