March 16, 1971
Page 6684
Mr. BAKER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the RECORD at this point a statement prepared for delivery by Senator MUSKIE on Senate Joint Resolution 17, with the explanation that Senator MUSKIE, who has been so instrumental in this matter, found it necessary to be absent from the Senate today on a very important matter.
There being no objection, the statement by Senator MUSKIE was ordered to be printed in the
RECORD, as follows:
STATEMENT BY SENATOR MUSKIE
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I think there can be no serious doubt that the Congress needs and wants a non-legislative joint committee on the environment as proposed by Senate Joint Resolution No. 17.
This is the fourth consecutive session of the Congress in which this proposal or similar proposals have been considered. A resolution identical to this one, in fact, passed both bodies last year but died in conference when Congress adjourned.
During that session, more than 40 bills and resolutions were introduced in the Congress to change the structure of the legislative branch so it might work more effectively on environmental problems.
I think these events suggest that the Senate recognizes a joint committee on the environment could accomplish four major purposes in the conduct of the Senate's environmental business:
1. It could improve greatly the Senate's capacity for getting together the relevant information concerning existing and emerging environmental problems.
2. It could provide the continuing study and assessment of the changing relationship among human beings and their environment so that corrective measures could be agreed upon promptly and put into action.
3. It could assist the Senate in keeping an accurate record of accomplishments and failures in the handling of environmental problems. No such legislative machinery now exists.
4. It could assist the Senate in maintaining its role as a balance to the executive and judicial branches in the Federal consideration and handling of environmental problems.
The executive branch, for example, changed its structure last year to deal more effectively with the environment. The Council on Environmental Quality was set up; an Office of Environmental Quality was authorized. By reorganization plans, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were established.
Mr. President, I think the Senate report on last year's resolution was correct when it said:
"It is clear that none of the existing congressional committees is equipped, or has the jurisdictional authority, to provide a comprehensive overview which will identify the emerging problems which threaten the deterioration of man's environment."
Let me emphasize, as I did when the resolution was introduced two months ago, that the joint committee is not intended to invade or infringe upon the substantive jurisdiction of any standing committee.
To the contrary, the resolution intends to provide a source of information and analysis which the standing committees do not have the time nor the authority to produce for themselves.
I believe the Senate recognizes that Congress needs a joint committee on the environment; I trust the Senate will adopt the joint resolution.