Congresswoman Barbara Lee Fights to Protect the Environment
Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882
Washington D.C.– Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) delivered an address on the Floor of the House of Representatives to urge Members to put public health and a clean environment ahead of corporate interests. Following is an excerpt:
“I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2681, and the threat this bills would pose to the Clean Air Act.
"Instead of working with Democrats on policies to create jobs, the House Republicans brings H.R. 2681 to the floor as it continues its special-interest assault on Clean Air Act public health standards.
“If passed, this bill will endanger thousands of lives by blocking the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to protect our communities from toxic air pollution as required under that Act.
“Not only would this bill undercut the Clean Air Act’s ability to crack down on pollution in our communities and endanger public health, they would expose some of our nation’s most vulnerable populations, including children and communities of color, to dangerous toxic metals and mercury poisoning.
“I have long said there is no denying the interconnection between our stewardship of the environment and the state of the economy, public health, and our communities.
“As things stand today, our most underserved and vulnerable populations are already bearing the greatest brunt of pollution, environmental degradation, and climate change. And, rather than take aim at these disparities, these Republican bills stand to aggravate them, by impeding the EPA from doing its job.”
View the entire address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdP1gRxhnlE
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