STATEMENT OF SENATOR FRANK R. LAUTENBERG
ON THE FY 2001 BUDGET OF THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
EPW COMMITTEE HEARING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2000

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to review EPA's budget in the authorizing committee. As you know, I sit on the VA-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee, which, under the able leadership of Senator Bond, annually reviews the same issues we will hear about today.

Appropriators, however, sometimes view matters in a different light from authorizers. I think it is useful to use both perspectives in reviewing this agency's vital work.

Mr. Chairman, I am particularly interested in providing adequate funding for EPA's core programs. We sometimes get so distracted by the newest hot issue that we lose sight of the programs mandated by statute that are the backbone of the Agency.

Whether they are cleaning up Superfund sites, updating water discharge permits, reassessing pesticide tolerances, or setting standards for toxins in the air, EPA's core programs are a tremendous benefit to the health of our constituents. We must never lose sight of them.

Mr. Chairman, look forward to what is always an excellent presentation from the longest serving Administrator in EPA history, Carol Browner. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.