The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year of 2024 passed the House that included and amendment by U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer that bans the weaponization of the EPA.
We should not be arming the EPA to harass American businesses, farmers, and landowners.
My amendment would prevent the EPA from continuing to purchase weaponry better suited for the military. pic.twitter.com/U1n5nyexLI
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) November 3, 2023
“It is baffling to me that Democrats call for defunding the police, yet desire for EPA agents to be armed like the U.S. military,” Palmer (R-Hoover) said in a statement.
“Most Americans are unaware the EPA spends $50 million a year to arm agents with equipment more appropriate for the military. They are just one of 70 agencies arming agents even though they have nothing to do with law enforcement. This is unacceptable. We should not be arming the Environmental Protection Agency to harass American businesses, farmers, and landowners.”
When offering his amendment on the floor of the House, Palmer said he can’t understand why the EPA needs to spend its money on these kinds of armaments.
“The EPA has spent millions of dollars over the years on anti-tank ammunition, amphibious assault craft, night vision equipment, unmanned aircraft, and other military equipment,” he explained. “It’s difficult for me to imagine that the EPA has a legitimate use for anti-tank ammunition. To me it sounds like we’re arming a Seal team. The difference is a Seal team can explain why they need these things, the EPA cannot.”
The congressman said he was made aware of the information from a report by the non-profit Open the Books watchdog organization.
“I think we need to step back and reevaluate whether arming the bureaucracy is the best way to ensure that our laws our enforced,” Palmer continued. “Federal agencies should be able to demonstrate their need for armed personnel, and in absence such a demonstration should rely on and partner with local, state, or federal law enforcement when there is a need for armed protection.”
You can learn more about this militarization of the EPA by reading my press release below ⬇️ https://t.co/6bWjCoo0fN
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) November 3, 2023
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
