'Everyday Americans Are Suffering': Sanford Bishop Slams Funding Cuts In Appropriations Bill

5 months ago

During a House Appropriations Committee markup meeting before the Congressional recess, Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) spoke about funding cuts in the Interior and Environmental Appropriations Bills.

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00:00The gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Bishop, is recognized for general remarks on the bill.

00:08Thank you very much, Chair Cole, and thank you, Chairman Simpson,

00:14Ranking Member DeLauro, and Ranking Member Pingree for your work on this bill.

00:21I regretfully have to speak in opposition to the FY26 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill.

00:30We've marked up seven bills so far in this full committee,

00:34and I have yet to see a bill that does not unfund, underfund, or deprioritize agencies and programs that help everyday people.

00:48This bill is no different.

00:51I'm disappointed with the majority seemingly tilting at windmills when everyday Americans are suffering.

00:58I've seen it firsthand in the city of Thomasville, Georgia, that I represent,

01:05where a grant for wastewater infrastructure and a health clinic were inextricably terminated

01:11because the administration deemed it too woke.

01:16Tell me, how is upgrading water infrastructure and health clinic, how is that,

01:26and why do innocent people have to suffer in this relentless attack on Biden-era legislation?

01:33Rather than fighting to restore these illegally terminated programs,

01:40my Republican colleagues are fine with cutting essential infrastructure programs in their own backyards,

01:47which they did when they rescinded the impounded funds for the Thomasville Project

01:52and hundreds of others in the big, ugly bill.

01:58And now my colleagues are pushing a 23% cut to EPA's budget.

02:04I'm not the biggest fan of everything that EPA does policy-wise,

02:09and I think many of you can attest to that,

02:11but I don't see how cutting water infrastructure funding benefits anybody.

02:17I think everyone here understands that when you keep pushing back infrastructure repairs,

02:22the damage gets worse, and simple fixes turn into expensive headaches.

02:30This is incredibly short-sighted.

02:33This bill cuts funds for our national parks.

02:36As you've heard, we've already seen national parks across the country decrease the services that they offer to the public,

02:42which includes trash collection, trail cleaning, and even staffing entrances.

02:48National parks are the lifeblood of many of our rural communities,

02:51and they showcase some of the most beautiful terrain in our country.

02:56If we want our children and families to get outside more, this is not the way.

03:03The bill also significantly cuts funding for the Bureau of Labor Management,

03:07the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Forest Service.

03:13These agencies are tasked with stewarding our national resources for future generations

03:19and the benefit of our country.

03:21It is not appropriate to be penny-wise and pound-foolish with our lands

03:26and the economic value that they provide.

03:29Let me say to my friends on the other side of the aisle,

03:32it is possible to protect public lands

03:36and, at the same time, use them to promote our economy.

03:41But this bill does not find that balance.

03:44Instead, it threatens rural communities, burdens conservation,

03:48and cuts much-needed funding for underserved populations.

03:53I oppose this bill, and again, I urge my Republican colleagues to engage in dialogue

04:00and return to legislating in a bipartisan manner

04:04so that our work product at the end of this process

04:09will ensure and inure to the long- and short-term benefit

04:14of everyday American families now in this generation

04:19for years and generations ahead.

04:24With that, Mr. Chairman, I regret that I can't support this bill,

04:27and I urge a bipartisan effort to come together, and let's do better.

04:34I yield back.

04:35I thank the gentleman.

'Everyday Americans Are Suffering': Sanford Bishop Slams Funding Cuts In Appropriations Bill

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