Click here to watch Chairman Barrasso’s remarks.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), delivered the following remarks at a committee business meeting.

At the business meeting, the committee advanced the nomination of Rob Wallace to be assistant secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at the Department of the Interior and passed S. 1507, PFAS Release Disclosure and Protection Act 2019, as amended by voice vote. The committee also advanced the following items:

• PN 491, William B. Kilbride, of Tennessee, to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority;
• S. 1345, A bill to amend and reauthorize the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act;
• S. 1833, Restore the Harmony Way Bridge Act;
• S. 1014, Route 66 Centennial Commission Act;
• Substitute amendment to S. 349, Reviving America’s Scenic Byways Act;
• S. 1689, A bill to transfer certain funds from the clean water revolving fund of a State to the drinking water revolving fund of the State; and
• 38 General Services Administration resolutions.

To watch the full business meeting, click here.

Senator Barrasso’s remarks:

“Today we are going to consider two nominees, six bills, and 38 General Services Administration resolutions.

“We will consider three of the GSA resolutions that we noticed on Friday at a later date… 

“We will consider two nominations – Rob Wallace to be assistant secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at the Department of the Interior; and William Kilbride to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

“The full committee held a hearing on Rob’s nomination earlier this month.

“The Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, held a hearing on Mr. Kilbride’s nomination last week.

“I would like to thank the chairman of the subcommittee, Senator Braun, for holding the hearing and assisting the full committee in considering Mr. Kilbride’s nomination.

“Both nominees are well qualified and will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to these important positions.

“I would like to say a few words about Rob Wallace.

“I have known Rob for over 35 years.

“Without question, Rob is the right person for the job as assistant secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

“Once confirmed, Rob will oversee the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service.

“His confirmation will be especially important because neither of these agencies have Senate-confirmed leadership at this time.

“He will play a central role in managing fish and wildlife for the American people.

“Stakeholders from across the political spectrum agree that Rob is an outstanding choice.

“I urge my colleagues to support his nomination.

“We will also consider six bills – Senator Heinrich’s bill to amend and reauthorize the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act; Senator Braun’s Restore the Harmony Way Bridge Act; Senator Duckworth’s Route 66 Centennial Commission Act; Senator Collins’ Reviving America’s Scenic Byways Act, with a substitute amendment; Senator Capito’s PFAS Release Disclosure Act, with a substitute amendment; and Senator Booker’s bill to transfer certain funds from the clean water revolving fund of a state to the drinking water revolving fund of the state.

“I would like to say a few words about the PFAS bill.

“We will report a broad bipartisan package to address pollution from a large class of chemicals, known as PFAS.

“This pollution is an urgent concern for many communities and states across the country.

“This spring, the committee held two hearings on the issue.

“In March, we heard from top officials at EPA as well as the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services.

“In May, we heard from state water regulators, water utilities, and others, who are struggling to deal with these contaminants.

“The Barrasso-Carper substitute amendment to the Capito bill requires industrial manufacturers and users to disclose to the public when they release these chemicals into the environment.

“The legislation also requires EPA to set, within two years, a national primary drinking water regulation, based, at a minimum, on two of the most toxic PFAS.

“The Barrasso-Carper substitute amendment is identical to an amendment that Senator Capito, Ranking Member Carper, Senator Gillibrand, and I filed to the National Defense Authorization Act last week.

“I want to thank those members for their leadership on this issue.

“Our bipartisan package will go a long way to helping the federal government and the states combat this pollution.

“Lastly, we will consider 38 resolutions to approve prospectuses providing for General Services Administration leases.”

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