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Members and witnesses warn proposed EPA cuts could slow water projects and agency processing
Summary
Several members and witnesses said a proposed 65% reduction in EPA funding and personnel would hinder the agency’s ability to administer SRF and WIFIA programs and delay or cancel water infrastructure projects nationwide.
Multiple members of the House subcommittee raised alarm about a reported proposal to cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by about 65 percent and the potential effect on water infrastructure financing and project delivery.
Ranking Member Wilson said the proposed reductions "would directly hit the wallets of hardworking American families" and would jeopardize projects by causing delays, higher costs and potential abandonment. Rep. Jared Garamendi and others warned that staffing and budget reductions at EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers would reduce the agencies’ ability to review applications, manage loans and oversee projects.
Witnesses cautioned that programmatic reforms will have limited value if agency capacity is reduced. Dan Buckley said diminished funding and staff would make it harder to get projects built on time and within budget; Mike Matydich asked for specific follow‑up questions in writing so witnesses could assess what a given budget cut would mean for WIFIA’s loan pipeline.
Committee members requested written analyses from EPA and witnesses describing how reduced agency resources would affect pending and future projects. The subcommittee left the record open for additional material from witnesses and agencies.
