Senate Appropriations Hearing Held this Week on EPA Budget

On May 16, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing to review the FY 2019 funding request and budget justification for EPA. Senator Murkowski (R-AK), Chairman of the Subcommittee, and Senator Udall (D-NM), Ranking Member, provided opening statements during the hearing that expressed concerns about cuts to EPA’s budget in its FY ’19 funding request and about EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s personal expenses. Key discussion points between Committee members and Pruitt included:  member concerns about cuts to state grant programs, research, enforcement and Inspector General funding; Pruitt noting that EPA is putting emphasis on lead in schools, PFAS contaminants, WIFIA, regionalization and loans for small disadvantaged communities; as well as member agreement with EPA’s efforts to decrease the time for permit reviews and pesticide registrations, and reexamine the Clean Water Act Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule. For more information and to view a recording of the hearing, visit the Subcommittee website.