'A Direct Attack On The Health Of Every Single American': Debbie Wasserman Schultz Shreds GOP's Cuts To Clean Water Fund

Forbes Breaking News

During a House Appropriations Committee hearing prior to the congressional recess, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) spoke about cuts to drinking water programs.

Transcript

00:00And a lady from Florida, Ms. Wasserman-Schultz is recognized for remarks about the bill.

00:05Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know, I wish I could say I'm surprised by what's before us today.

00:11But sadly, this bill is another example of House Republicans putting billionaires,

00:15big oil, and corporate polluters ahead of America's working families, our public lands,

00:19and even our children's future. At a moment when families are already feeling the squeeze of rising

00:25costs of living and the devastating effects of climate change, this bill makes their lives

00:29harder, not easier. It raises utility bills. It raises gas prices. It guts the very resources

00:35that help the poor, rural, middle class, and vulnerable communities cope with environmental

00:41and economic challenges. This bill slashes more than 60 percent from funding that helps states

00:47deliver clean drinking water and safe wastewater systems. Excuse me. This bill slashes, excuse me,

00:55that $1.7 billion cut is a direct attack on the health of every single American family,

01:02and it leaves local governments and ratepayers to pick up the tab. This bill eliminates the Energy

01:07Star program, stripping consumers of their ability to buy energy-efficient appliances to save money.

01:13It blocks vehicle fuel efficiency rules, forcing people to pay more at the pump,

01:18and it even defunds renewable energy, which now makes up more than 20 percent of our nation's power,

01:25all but guaranteeing higher electricity bills and less energy security. Just when the climate crisis

01:30is battering every corner of this country, from Texas floods to wildfires in the West, we are

01:35kneecapping our ability to respond. This bill slashes the EPA by 25 percent and eliminates funding for

01:41global warming science, climate policy, and greenhouse gas reporting. Instead of confronting the crisis,

01:47this bill actually promotes dirty energy by mandating fossil fuel lease sales and letting

01:53mandating fossil fuel lease sales and letting the worst polluters spew toxins with impunity.

01:59This bill even includes a shameful handout to pesticide manufacturers by tying the government's hands

02:07and blocking it from updating cancer warnings on pesticides, no matter what the new science shows.

02:13This rider would effectively gag our public health agencies, preventing them from updating labels

02:18or rules to reflect new evidence of cancer risks from pesticides. You are telling every cancer survivor,

02:25even if we learn more about how these chemicals cause cancer, too bad, we're not allowed to warn you.

02:30That's not just irresponsible, it's dangerous. As a cancer survivor, I find it outrageous that we would

02:36protect corporate profits over protecting people from cancer. It is a serious, new, revolting low

02:43that the majority doesn't want to warn people about cancer risk from chemicals and pesticides.

02:48This bill is a big middle finger to cancer patients, period. But the damage doesn't stop there.

02:56Republicans also take aim at America's crown jewels, America's national parks, our public lands,

03:01our wildlife, and our cultural treasures. This bill guts the National Park Service,

03:05decimates resources for conservation agencies, and undermines protections for iconic species like

03:11grizzly bears and gray wolves. It cuts funding for the Smithsonian and slashes the National Endowments

03:16for the Arts and Humanities by 35%. Apparently, no part of our heritage, not our natural wonders,

03:22not our culture, not even our history, is safe from their zeal to pad corporate profits and serve the

03:28billionaires. We are not here to auction off America's future to the highest bidder. We are not

03:33here to make families pay more so billionaires get richer. We are here to protect public health,

03:40preserve our environment, and safeguard our children's inheritance. At least I am, and I know my

03:46colleagues on this side of the table, this side of the room are. This bill fails every part of that

03:51test, and in spectacular fashion, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it. I yield back. Thank you.

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