WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Andy Harris (MD-1) released the following statement regarding the official announcement of his Chairmanship to the Subcommittee on Environment by Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (TX-21):
“I am honored to continue my Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Environment of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. I look forward to working with Chairman Lamar Smith and the other members of the Committee to ensure we have a productive session that encourages scientific development and promotes economic growth.
“As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, my primary responsibility will be oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make sure they use sound science and are transparent during the regulatory process. The approaching vacancy of the EPA Administrator is an opportunity to find someone who shares these objectives. I will be working closely with Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2) who will serve as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment. I know he will be a worthy colleague who shares these values and understands the need to work toward free market solutions for environmental protection and job creation.”
Established in 1958, the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has jurisdiction over all non-defense federal scientific research and development. Specifically, the Committee has partial or complete jurisdiction over the following federal agencies: NASA, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, FEMA, the U.S. Fire Administration, and United States Geological Survey, among others.
For more information about the Science Committee, please visit www.science.house.gov
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Matt Sauvage
Press Secretary
Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-1)
1533 Longworth HOB | Washington, DC 20515
O: 202-226-4870
M: 202-441-7940
Carla Massoni says
Fox in the henhouse. Is everything in Washington, DC a joke?
fletcher hall says
We shall see what results Congressman Harris can produce for his District, especially the Eastern Shore portion.
This Sub Committee and the government agencies for which it has oversight are of sinfificant importance to the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
While the EPA will be getting a new administrator, the bureaucrats in the Department will not change very, much, nor I am afraid will the philosphy. Oversight by the SubCommitte is helpful, but real changes in philsophy and direction must come through legialation and more moderate and reasonable regulations. The White House and the Senate are still there to reckon with.
In a divided government, being in the majority in the House of Representatives only presents a real challenge fo a SubCommittee Chairman, especially a newly minted one, such as Congressman Harris. He will need to demonstrate compromise, moderation and reason to make the work of the Sub Committee effective and productive. How many Sub Committee bills languish there and never see the light of day, before the full House?
Perhaps the congressional work of two previous Eastern Shore Congressmen, Rogers C.B. Morton and Wayne Gilcrist will be of interest to Congressman Harris. Past can really be proloque.
Again, stay tuned.
Fletcher R. Hall
Chestertown
Lainey Harrison says
Fletcher,
You crack me up! You write ” He will need to demonstrate compromise, moderation and reason to make the work of the Sub Committee effective and productive” Does this mean he wont be able to arrest anymore press folk who try to film the subcommittees PUBLIC hearings?
Joe Lill says
Maybe Mr. Harris has a New Year’s Resolution that will awaken the “Better Angels of his Nature!”
Mike Hunt says
I’ve not defended Congressman Harris much in the past, but whatever happened to “speak your mind, but remember to be kind” or, for that matter, a reasoned approach to criticism? It seems to have vanished in these parts. One cannot declare oneself as a member of the press and walk into Congressional hearings. If you do not have press credentials validly issued by the Sergeant at Arms, you will–and should be–escorted from Congressional hearings, especially when you break the rules. It’s just not a partisan thing at all.
Janice Dickson says
Is someone joking?
Joe Lill says
Mary Shelley has come back to life and created a Monster…..and it’s alive!
Paul Hanley says
Its like giving guns to ducks…sigh…
Aleks Smolens says
Honey, we’re going on vacation, why don’t we just let the fox guard the hen house?
Judy Kohl says
Maybe they are so out of touch inside the Beltway that they think Wayne is still our Representative.
Joe Lill says
All rhetoric aside, the Chesapeake Bay and all those that work on it, boat on it, or appreciate it, will suffer from this appointment.
Joe Diamond says
Don’t worry, folks,
The EPA is a government agency. They have professionals who are tasked with stopping congress from interrupting their ………interrupting…….they have ways of ignoring… ….Let me start over.
There is nothing congress can do that will divert agencies from doing what they do, whatever that is. And yes, if you try to photograph them doing it or object to their proceedings……you will see cops of one kind or another. But the tableau of congress directing the agencies is funny.
Joe
D LaMotte says
If this was a movie I would not believe it. Is this some kind of sick joke? The word “environment” and “Harris” together??
Jack Offett says
Congressman Harris: Shock us. Do something about PA, NY and years of their s^^t sitting a storm away at the Conowingo Dam. Ask the EPA why they missed the boat on this and are still operating under “all is fine at the Dam” mode. Show you care despite what Pat Toomey may tell you about how much cleaner PA’s waste and runoff is compared to Maryland’s on the way to the Club for Growth meeting. Show us how to be a leader.
Mike Hunt says
This appointment is great for us and is exactly why Congressman Harris is in a position to help clean up the Bay. As someone who voted for Congressman Kratovil, nonetheless, the childishness of the anti-Harris diatribes in this paper shocks even me. Time will tell, I suppose, but are you keeping an open mind? I suspect that even if Harris leads a monumental effort to clean up the Bay, there will be mean-spirited folks here who will continue to hurl invectives because nothing satisfies them…not Kratovil, not Harris, not anybody but the now-sainted Gilchrist (but now, not then, I suspect).
DLaMotte says
come now, all one has is his voting record and statements. And you wonder why the doubt about this man?