Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Jeffords, I – Vt., the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, reacted to a report released today by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General on enforcement resources and accomplishments. Jeffords said, "The report raises as many questions as it answers. The report indicates clearly that EPA does not know whether it is able to adequately enforce the nation's environmental laws nor does the Agency have effective systems in place to generate the appropriate knowledge." "I am very concerned that we are underfunding enforcement of the nation's environmental laws. The report details the fact that field agents continue to lack such basic items as digital radios and a secure data network. They also have no say on how their enforcement needs are reflected in the Agency's budget." "What message are we sending to the nation's polluters if the enforcers of our environmental laws openly admit they will not open a new case if they believe they do not have adequate resources to handle it?" "The report highlights morale and management issues in EPA's criminal enforcement division many of which are the result of a shift in approaches and funding priorities at the highest levels within the EPA and the Office of Management and Budget. I sincerely hope that the President's next budget provides the funding to deal with these important issues." Joining Jeffords in requesting the report last July were U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-CA; Joseph I. Lieberman, D-CT; Patrick J. Leahy, D-VT; John F. Kerry, D-MA; Ron Wyden, D-OR; Barbara A. Mikulski; D-MD; and U.S. Representatives: John D. Dingell, D-MI; James L. Oberstar, D-MN; Hilda L. Solis; D-CA; Rick Boucher, D-VA.