07.15.20

Chair Grijalva and Rep. McEachin on Today’s NEPA Rewrite: “This Country is Facing an Environmental Justice Test, and President Trump Has Failed”

Washington, D.C. – Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. A. Donald McEachin (D-Va.), coauthors of the Environmental Justice for All Act – now a central piece of the House Democratic climate response package unveiled last month – issued the following statement on the environmental justice impacts of today’s Trump administration weakening of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

“Americans today are reckoning with the destructive legacy of slavery, neglect and abuse of people of color, and today’s announcement is a major step backward in that process. Polluters have made a habit of building massive pipelines, chemical refineries, waste incinerators and other public health hazards in communities of color for generations, and the National Environmental Policy Act is one of the strongest laws we have to prevent it. Tearing it up to cover for the president’s failed economic record is an insult to every American who puts people before polluters. Making amends for generations of racist double standards is about more than words – it’s about strengthening and enforcing laws like NEPA that protect human health and the environment. This country is facing an environmental justice test, and President Trump has failed in a colossal way with today’s announcement.”

Press Contact

Media Contact: Adam Sarvana (Grijalva)

(202) 225-6065 or (202) 578-6626 mobile

Ralph Jones (McEachin)

Ralph.Jones@mail.house.gov or (678) 672-7907 mobile