Statement of Senator Bob Smith
EPA Budget Hearing
February 24, 1999

Thank you Mr. Chairman and welcome, Administrator Browner. I will be brief.

I'm pleased to see Ms. Browner and her team here this morning. We have several unfinished pieces of business left over from the last Congress, and I am looking forward to making progress on those fronts.

I have also been interested to see press reports indicating that EPA views the Superfund program as in a "ramp down" mode. That view is also reflected in the budget request for the Superfund program, which is some 30% less than the FY 1999 budget request.

I will be exploring these issues further in my questioning, and look forward to Ms. Browner's testimony.

Thank you.