Visitors to the hill. We have a few of them here today with us. Thank you for all the work that you do. We thank you. Now turning our attention to the hearing, we are joined by the 14th administrator of the epa scott pruitt. Congratulations on your confirmation. You have joined a distinguished group. We look forward to hearing your vision and working with you to provide the resources necessary to lead an agency. We are also joined by holly greaves. I believe this is your first time testifying before the subcommittee as well. Welcome to both of you. Before we dive into the specifics, administrator pruitt, you have a tough job here today. 54 billion for nondefense spending to defense side of the ledger. Those are tough lines to meet. And many tough choices were necessary in order to meet those targets. Earlier this morning i along with Ranking Member, miss mccollum and other members discussed the Defense Budget at the hearing with secretary mattis that conversation further underscored the need to look at u. S. Readiness. I support that goal. However, enacting 54 billion in cuts in one fiscal year is an untenab untenable position. I suspect that you will hear from congress throughout the budget process. Thats why its necessary i hope at some point that the administration, senate, and house come together and come up with a budget agreement for we can have a common goal to work with. Nonetheless we appreciate you being here today to reduce the agencys funding by 2. 4 billion. The budget proposes to significantly reduce or terminate programs that are vitally important to each member on this subcommittee. For example, the grants are essential to improving air quality in my home state of california. So too are the target air shed grants. But the budget fails to support the targeted air shed grants. And dare grants are to receive an 83 reduction. The Superfund Program while considered an infrastructure priority for the president is reduced by 31 . These are all proposals we are unlikely to entertain. Further the budget looks to reduce other state grants while asking states to serve as principal leads with environmental programs. Finally most geographic programs are proposed for termination. This is perhaps not how you personally would craft epas budget, but its a budget you have to defend here today. Im pleased with budget supporting healthy infrastructure, a priority of the subcommittee. The budget maintains funding for the clean water and Drinking Water revolving funds. At current levels and continues to fund the new program. These are both programs that create construction jobs in every state and every congressional district. As you know, i strongly support the wifia program. It could be a game changer to stem growing backlog of needs for improved Water Quality and a nice complement to the srs. Turning to policy. We all want clean air and clean water. And a strong robust economy. My constituents in california demand both a healthy environment and job creation. Its not an either or proposition. In Southern California weve made tremendous improvements in our air quality over the past number of decades. Its important we look for ways to clean our air. I supported epas decision last week to recalibrate the implementation of the ozone standards. I remain as committed as ever to providing resources to support proven programs that actually reduce particulate matter and ozone and in doing so improve Health Outcomes in the impacted areas. At last years epa budget hearings, the subcommittee raised concerns that statutory obligations were given insufficient attention. While new regulations were prioritized. I think its fair to say that you bring a refreshing new perspective to that position. We look forward to hearing that perspective today. Its my hope that moving forward we can Work Together in coordination with our state, local, and tribal partners to find sound solutions to tackle the challenges before us. I know all members are eager to discuss various issues with you, so i will save additional remarks for the period following your testimony. I am pleased now to yield to my friend and distinguished Ranking Member ms. Mccollum. Thank you. And good morning administrator pruitt. The Environmental Protection agency is responsible for protecting the health and ensuring clean water and air for people. Would endanger the health of millions of americans, jeopardize the quality of our air and water, and wreak havoc on our economy. The Trump Administrations budget abandons by proposing a 2. 4 billion cut. A 30 cut. The last time epa appropriations was this low was 1990. The administration set the agency back 30 years considering the challenges we face today. Mr. Trump campaigned last year on an agenda that included allowing companies to pollute our water and land and air. He ridiculed science and promised to surrender americas Global Leadership on Climate Change. Now he is President Trump and he is putting his antienvironment agenda into action. Executive orders have directed the government to ignore significant costs of pollution and Climate Change to our economy. The republican passed legislation that was signed into law that stops a epa rule to keep coal mining waste out of our water. And that waste is toxic. The most recent and most reck less action in my opinion was the withdrawal from the paris climate agreement which has made the United States a rogue environmental nation. When it comes to the planets climate challenge. This budget is the latest expression of the administrations willful denying of the climate science. The earth is currently getting warmer because people are adding heattrapping Greenhouse Gases to the atmosphere. Thats the end of the quote. Yet this budget ignores that science and cuts Climate Change programs 91 . This budget cut also includes cuts so deep that 47 programs are eliminated. Many are relied upon by industry. One example is energy star. Which has saved customers an estimated 430 billion on their utility bills since 1992. Realtors, manufacturers, builders, retailers. They all want the epa to continue this program. The budget also promotes eliminating enormously successful geographic programs like the great lakes, puget sound, chesapeake bay. For every 1 invested in great lakes restoration, there is 2 returned in benefits. These programs give the american taxpayer a great deal in return. And they also protect their resources while creating jobs and promoting growth. The Trump Administration has shown its contempt for science both through this budget and policy decisions. The budget proposes to cut the epas office of research and development by 237 million or 46 . This office provides the foundation for credible science to safeguard human health from environmental pollutions. Administrator pruitt, when you canceled a ban on a harmful pesticide. I have a letter from the American Academy of pediatrics which they asked the epa to protect as a resuvulnerable chi pregnant women from this. Now this budget would stifle the very office that provides the scientific analysis within the epa. The budget also cuts state agencies funding. Proposing that the grants be cut 44 . These cuts will cripple states ability to implement core programs that protect Public Health. I would be remiss if i did not call attention to the agencys workforce. This budget proposes to cut nearly 3,800 employees. These are front line scientists, experts, and enforcement officers who protect the American People from toxins, carcinogens, lead in water, and other dangerous chemicals. We tend to forget we owe them a debt of dprgratitude when we tu on the tap water and it is safe. As we know, mr. Chairman, President Trump can propose this destructive budget and administrator pruitt can come here and defend or promote it, but it is congress and this committee who will determine the epas funding. On may 5th, President Trump signed into law fiscal year 2017 appropriations bills. 178 democrats and 131 republicans voted together to fund the epa at a level which sustains the agency, supports a skilled federal workforce, and protects Public Health. Mr. Chairman, i want to thank you for working with democrats to achieve that very positive outcome for our nation. And as we move forward, i know we will once again rely on each other to have a positive working relationship and i know that i can count on you. However, i want to be clear i will not support what funds the epa below the current level. Let me close with this example of why i feel so passionately. Radon is responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among nonspokers. Mr. Pruitt, this budget proposes to limit funding for the Radon Program which educates americans and saves lives. And this committee both democrats and republicans has always worked together to support radon. So as members of congress, i believe we cannot allow the harm done to American People that this budget would inflict. And i thank the chairman for the time and i yield back. Thank you. Meantime, im going to recognize ms. Loy. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman, and Ranking Member mccollum for holding this hearing. And welcome administrator pruitt. I have been eagerly awaiting your testimony before this subcommittee. Ill get straight to it. The fiscal year 2018 budget request for epa is a disaster. You requested 5. 655 billion, a staggering 2. 4 billion below the 2016 enacted level. A cut of more than 30 . White you claim most of these cuts will be part of a substantial reduction in workforce, would surely impact epas ability to fulfill its Critical Mission of protecting the air we breathe and water we drink. Between your disturbingly close ties to the oil and gas industries, your past work to directly undermine the epa, and skepticism that human activity plays a role in Climate Change, i suppose its surprising you didnt propose to eliminate the agency all together. Lets be clear. Members of congress from both sides of the aisle, scientists, business leaders, and the vast majority of americans agree manmade Climate Change is real and it poses a threat to our planet that must be confronted quickly and seriously. Here are the facts. Facts. Carbon emissions are creating holes in our ozone layer and contributing to changing and often dangerous weather patterns around the world. Climate change has manifested as catastrophic events that threaten our National Security and the livelihoods of american families. Yet this administration is burying its head in the sand and according to a new poll conducted by Washington Post abc news, 59 oppose President Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Which has ensured a unified Global Response to combat Rising Carbon Dioxide levels in our atmosphere. A substantial 55 of people surveyed feel this decision has hurt u. S. Leadership in the world. Your budget request further demonstrates the threat that Climate Change poses. Among the most egregious reductions are a reduction of over 300 million for the Hazardous Substance superfund. The elimination of over a dozen regional programs including the Long Island Sound geographic program. And a nearly 50 reduction in Scientific Research and development. We have a moral responsibility to safeguard our planet and ensure that our children and grandchildren have a healthy future. This budget would call short of this obligation. I do hope that congress will reject in a bipartisan way this dangerous budget and instead adopt spending bills that would invest in combatting Climate Change, keeping our air and our water clean, and creating jobs, creating jobs for the 21st century economy. Especially green jobs of the future. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Okay. Mr. Pruitt, administrator pruitt, thanks for being here today. Please, youre recognized for your opening remarks. Well, good morning chairman. Its good to be here with you this morning. I thank you for the opportunity to discuss the epas proposed budget. Im joined at the table as you indicated mr. Chairman by holly greaves. I do want to join you, mr. Chairman, in expressing my prayers for your leagues with respect to what occurred yesterday. I pray for their recovery and protection as we go forward. I want to their with you and members of the committee. Thank you. We tith with the budget bein the focus today, i thought it important to bring it back to its core mission. Specifically as part of our back to basics agenda. Improving air quality, clean water, and fixing our outdated infrastructure, cleaning up contaminated land, and carrying out the important updates that this Congress Passed last year. Getting rid of the chemical backlog which existed which you are familiar. When i began at the agency, i set three Core Principles by which we were going to work with. First was the rule of law. An approach one can reimagine authority under statutes passed by this body. I firmly believe that federal agencies exist to work with congress. It is congresss ability to pass statutes and give direction on the environmental objectives we seek. Granted by congress by definition cannot be consistent with the agencys mission. We are focused on process. Over the last several years, the agencies engage in rule making to settle practices, guidance documents. Regulation through litigation is something we will not continue at the epa. We will make sure that process is respected and implemented so people across the country can have voice, due process, and affect in a positive way. Respecting the role of the states. As you know very, very well, a one size fits all strategy to achieve environmental outcomes doesnt work. It may work in arizona. May not work in tennessee. I recognize states have unique environmental needs. I will engage in meaningful discussion with you about how shared environmental goals related to these outcomes can be achieved. With respect to the budget and these principles and priorities that ive outlined, i believe we can fulfill the mission of our agency with a trimmed budget. With proper leadership and management. We will work with congress, mr. Chairman, to help focus on National Priorities with respect to the resources that you provide. And we will continue to focus on our core missions. Responsibilities. Working cooperatively with states to improve air, water, and land. As ive indicated, clear air goes to the heart of human health. We are focused on compliance enforcement. Weve made tremendous progress as a country. Through regulations and industry and citizens across this country working together. In fact, since 1980, total emissions of the six pollutants we regulate have dropped by almost 65 . And ozone levels as you know have dropped 33 . We should celebrate this progress. But we should also recognize theres work to do. In this country about 40 of our citizens live in nonattainment with respect to ozone. So we do have much work to do. And should be the focus of the epa to find ways to help increase the number of People Living and working in those areas. The president has made it clear that maintaining infrastructure is critical to this country. At epa that means ensuring to make investments. We will continue to partner we the states to address Drinking Water contamination. These are integral Water Treatment and avoiding unnecessary cost. Like President Trump, i believe we need to work with states to understand what they think is best on how to achieve these outcomes. And what actions theyre already taking to do so. The epa should only intervene when states didnt demonstrate a willingness to comply with the law. With regard to contaminated land, were going to punish bad actors. Those who violate the law. Epas efforts have resulted in billions of pounds of pollution being prevented in those activities. As states are the implementers of the programs, we will work with them on enforcement goals and direct responsibilities. When we dont stay within the law creating consistency and certainty, regulatory certainty is key to economic growth. We need to outline what is expected across this country. When we do our job well, we create Good Environmental outcomes. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member mccollum, members of the committee, i appreciate the opportunity to share beliefly these priorities. And i look forward to working with you as we move through this process to protect human health. I look forward to your questions. Thank you. And thank you for your Opening Statement. Before we move to questions, id like to remind Committee Members we have a full Committee Markup of the nocon bill scheduled for 2 00 p. M. This afternoon. In order to finish hearings by 1 00 for allowing a break between now and the ma