Mr. Chairman, as in previous years, the EPA's budget contains funding for several initiatives which I believe, do not accurately reflect Congressional intent. For Fiscal Year 2001, the Administration is requesting the largest increase ever for the EPA's operating budget, while at the same time, cutting funds for popular and successful state-administered programs. Certainly, it is this Committee's responsibility to see that the Agency's focus and funding resources are directed to programs the EPA was authorized to implement.
Again Mr. Chairman, I thank you for holding today's hearing and I look forward to hearing the Administrator's justification for these funding proposals.