Message from Senator Richard J. Durbin RE: EPA
| January 4, 2018 Mr. William Rosen -------------------------- Lombard, IL 60148-1176 Dear Mr. Rosen:
Thank you for contacting me about proposed budget cuts for environmental protections. I appreciate hearing from you and I share your concerns.
In March, President Trump released his Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 request. This budget request would reduce funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to $5.7 billion, a 31 percent decrease from FY 2017. The budget proposal would reduce the EPA's staff by 20 percent in the first year, eliminate dozens of important environmental programs entirely, and cut grants to states by 30 percent. This would hurt efforts to fight catastrophic changes in our climate such as rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, and threats to public health from an expanded range of insect-borne diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Unpredictable weather patterns could reduce agricultural productivity in Illinois and across the United States. The effects of these changes could devastate population centers. Other important environmental agencies are facing cuts as well. President Trump has proposed cutting funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) by 16 percent for FY 2018. Specifically, funding for education, grants and research would face the largest funding cuts. Many scientists are concerned that the deep cuts at NOAA could hurt safety as well as academic programs. Congress must make a responsible budget plan that promotes strong environmental protections. Protecting our environment and the public from pollution is one of the most important legacies we can leave to future generations.
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will keep your concerns in mind as funding for environmental programs is discussed in the Senate.
Thank you for contacting me about this issue. Please feel free to keep in touch. | |
Sincerely, Richard J. Durbin United States Senator | |
RJD/mw | |
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