Energy

‘I’m Not Ashamed’: GOP Lawmaker Defends His Bill To Abolish EPA In Front Of Angry Voters

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Michael Bastasch DCNF Managing Editor
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Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz defended his bill to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in front of an angry crowd at a town hall Thursday night.

“I’m not ashamed of myself,” Gaetz told an angry Florida town hall crowd, according to a video recording posted online by E&E News’ Hannah Hess.

“I believe there is overwhelming evidence the EPA, and the $8 billion we currently spend with the EPA, is an inefficient, ineffective” Gaetz said before being drowned out by angry constituents, some of whom carried pre-made signs.

“Don’t take my word for it, one needs to look no further than the Government Accountability Office, which recently did a report that says the EPA mismanaged their brand process,” Gaetz said, before once again being drowned out.

Gaetz’s town hall experience mirrors those of many other Republican lawmakers throughout the country. Angry constituents shouting over dysfunctional government and the status of health care reform.

Some lawmakers accused liberal activists of packing the meetings to drown out voters. Gaetz even prepared posters with his talking points in case liberal activists tried to shout him down.

Gaetz recently introduced a one-sentence piece of legislation to eliminate the EPA by the end of 2018. Three Republican lawmakers supported Gaetz’s bill, which is currently before four House committees.

Gaetz’s bill is expected to go very far. Even if it passed the House it would likely die in the Senate where there probably wouldn’t be enough voted among Republicans to pass. Democrats would oppose the bill.

Gaetz did not back down from Thursday night’s crowd. He promised to keep fighting against the EPA.

“As long as I am your member of Congress, I will fight for the environment and against the EPA,” Gaetz said.

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