Update 3/6/017: Here is GovTrack's page for the bill. As of March 6, 2017, the prognosis is 6% chance of being enacted according to PredictGov (details)
Here is the whole of the bill:
To terminate the Environmental Protection Agency.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 3, 2017
Mr. Gaetz (for himself, Mr. Massie, Mr. Palazzo, and Mr. Loudermilk) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To terminate the Environmental Protection Agency.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TERMINATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.The Environmental Protection Agency shall terminate on December 31, 2018.
That's it. That's the whole thing. Now, it first goes to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. On February 10, the bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Environment. If your Congressional Representative is on this committee, you need to be communicating your opinion on this bill loudly. Some talking points:
- A poll of American voters conducted in December 2016 and released last week by the progressive organization, the Center for American Progress, found not only broad support for environmental protection and clean energy versus fossil fuels, but also deep concern about the consequences of anti-environmental proposals. Four in five voters are worried about drinking contaminated water and the release of hazardous chemicals, while nearly three in four voters are afraid that air pollution will increase.
- Since its creation more than 50 years ago, the EPA's mission has been clear: to protect us from dangerous pollution. That's not just about making our skies bluer and our waters cleaner -- it's a matter of life and death. The Clean Air Act alone has saved millions of lives.
Robinson Meyer an associate editor at The Atlantic, wrote Congress and Trump Won't 'Terminate the EPA' Instead, they’ll restrict the agency in far subtler ways. It's an important story to read in full.
This Congress will almost certainly not terminate the EPA, and, even if it does, H. R. 861 is not the legislative blade it will wield. H. R. 861 is a classic piece of stunt legislation: It is short, punchy, without co-sponsors, and introduced by a novice legislator. Gaetz may accomplish nothing else of note this year, but he can truthfully tell his constituents that he proposed terminating the EPA.
His bill will not pass, and the reasons it will not pass are instructive. This is not a “Donald Trump can never become president” situation: There are legal, political, and institutional obstacles that keep H. R. 861 from moving forward.
Nevertheless, if your Representative is on the committee, it's important that you call to express your displeasure with the bill. Here are the committee members:
Republican Members
- John Shimkus (Illinois - 15) - Chairman
- David McKinley (West Virginia - 01) - Vice Chairman
- Joe Barton (Texas - 06)
- Tim Murphy (Pennsylvania - 18)
- Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee - 07)
- Gregg Harper (Mississippi - 03)
- Pete Olson (Texas - 22)
- Bill Johnson (Ohio - 06)
- Bill Flores (Texas - 17)
- Richard Hudson (North Carolina - 08)
- Kevin Cramer (North Dakota - 00)
- Tim Walberg (Michigan - 07)
- Buddy Carter (Georgia - 01)
- Greg Walden (Oregon - 02) - Ex Officio
Democratic Members
- Paul Tonko (New York - 20) - Ranking Member
- Raul Ruiz (California - 36)
- Scott Peters (California - 52)
- Gene Green (Texas - 29)
- Diana DeGette (Colorado - 01)
- Jerry McNerney (California - 09)
- Tony Cárdenas (California - 29)
- Debbie Dingell (Michigan -12)
- Doris Matsui (California - 06)
- Frank Pallone (New Jersey - 06) - Ex Officio
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