Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to K. Q., September 11, 1995

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. Congress of tfie Unite!) States i^ouse of iRepreeimtatrtjrs (KHaStjt'ngton, BC 20515-2002 September 11, 1995 Thank you for communicating to me your views about H. R. 2099, the FY 1996 VA-HUD- Independent Agencies appropriations bill, and its provisions affecting the enforcement authority of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I am strongly supportive of all serious efforts to reform EPA’s regulatory process. Though well- intentioned, EPA has shown too great a willingness to rely almost exclusively on overburdensome regulatory solutions-even in cases where the effectiveness or necessity of a given regulation is in doubt. Congress must fundamentally alter the way EPA does business. To that end, I strongly supported legislation passed by the House as part of the Contract With America requiring EPA and other federal agencies to conduct risk assessment and cost-benefit analyses before imposing new regulations on our nation’s businesses. At the same time, I disapprove of stealth and arbitrary attempts to strip EPA of its ability to enforce necessary environmental laws. Accordingly, I supported the Stokes-Boehlert amendment to H. R. 2099, which would have deleted from the bill 17 legislative provisions restricting EPA’s ability to enforce various environmental laws and regulations. While I support many of these provisions, others would weaken or jeopardize ongoing efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. One rider exempts Virginia from federal clean air regulations with which all other states and the District of Columbia have complied-putting Maryland at a strong regional disadvantage when attracting new industries. Given the sweeping changes these provisions would make to our nation’s environmental policy, I believe they warrant a fuller and fairer hearing than is possible during debate on an appropriations bill. Though the Stokes-Boehlert amendment drew broad bipartisan support, it was ultimately unsuccessful. In your letter you expressed disapproval over the fact that I voted for final passage of “the appropriations bill dealing with the EPA.” While H. R. 2099 makes FY 1996 appropriations for EPA, it also allocates funds for many programs I strongly support, such as veterans programs; low-income housing programs; and space exploration. A member of Congress must weigh the merits of an entire bill, rather than individual provisions, when determining how best to cast his C