Volume 147, No. 57 covering the 1st Session of the 107th Congress (2001 - 2002) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“INTRODUCTION OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E689 on May 1, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT
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HON. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT
of new york
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 1, 2001
Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to introduce the Department of Environmental Protection Act, important legislation that redesignates the Environmental Protection Agency as an executive department in the executive branch.
Like many of my colleagues, I believe the time has come to elevate EPA to cabinet-level status. This is not a new idea, but it continues to be a good idea. Rep. Jim Florio and I introduced legislation in the 101st Congress (1988) to elevate the agency. I introduced a similar bill again in the 103rd Congress. Several of my colleagues also introduced EPA elevation bills and, in 1993, there was significant debate surrounding Senate-passed and House Committee-passed bills. The problem wasn't so much the concept behind the bill, but the ``baggage'' attached to the bill. It became a magnet for controversial provisions and pet projects.
And so, today I'm introducing a baggage-free EPA elevation bill. I believe the bill steers clear of controversial issues that could side-
track the broader effort. It also combines features from previous legislative efforts, particularly those of the former Chairman and Ranking Member of the Government Operations Committee, Representative John Conyers and former Representative Bill Clinger.
The Department of Environmental Protection Act should help start the discussion in the 107th Congress. There is at least one bill introduced in the Senate. The subject also came up during Administrator Whitman's confirmation hearings. But there needs to be much more discussion and, most importantly, action.
It may be an ``old'' idea but it's still a good idea. EPA's mission is too critical for the agency not to be an official part of the cabinet. The idea was good under a Republican President in the late 1980's, a Democratic President in the 1990's, and now a Republican President at the start of the 21st Century.
I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the effort.
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