At EPA Budget Hearing, Senator Murray Highlights How House Republicans' Cuts Threaten Clean Air & Water, Efforts to Combat PFAS Contamination

"Safety is about more than just how strong our military is. Families want to know if they have clean air and clean water, and that their kids aren't being sickened by pollution. Fishers and farmers want to know the ecosystem that they rely on--that our economy relies on--is not being harmed by dangerous chemicals. And communities want to know we are making meaningful progress to cut emissions and fight the expansive, existential threat that is the climate crisis. The bottom line is that if we want to make sure people in this country are safe, we need to make sure they aren't breathing smog, drinking contaminated water, or being exposed to chemicals like PFAS.

We are learning more and more about just how serious a threat PFAS are to public health, so I hope--and expect--this committee will work in a bipartisan way to deliver solutions. PFAS, or forever chemicals, aren't just toxic--they are everywhere--to the point where they can even be found in our blood. We need to make sure we are cutting down on pollution--not cutting the funding EPA needs to protect our kids.

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Can you talk about how those steep cuts would undermine EPA's ability to respond to and address PFAS contamination already in our environment?

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Can you give us an update on the work EPA is doing to stand up both those entities, and what resources may be necessary to better coordinate restoration and protection of Puget Sound?

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This is a program that is so great, it's really going to improve the health of kids and communities across the country--and cut costs for our schools, and reduce emissions, and support good-paying jobs. During the application phase and in the review process, how is EPA going to work to ensure underserved communities--including those on the prioritized school district list--are competitive in the program?"

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