WASHINGTON D.C.-- Today, the House revealed its dirty Interior-Environment spending proposal for environmental and public health funding for FY2018. Among its many harmful proposals, this budget attacks clean water, threatens wildlife by delisting the gray wolf and sage grouse as endangered species, and weakens smog standards, putting children and the elderly at greater risk.
In response, Sierra Club’s Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“With kids getting sick from air pollution and communities from coast to coast threatened by the climate crisis, the last thing we should do is slash the funding that protects us from these threats-- but that’s exactly what the House is proposing with this dirty budget. Don’t be fooled-- this budget is a dangerous imitation of Trump’s destructive proposal and would gut vital EPA programs that protect our children’s health, and endanger our public parks, lands, waters, coasts, and wildlife. Just like Trump, the House also proposes to turn around and spend on lavish giveaways to millionaires, billionaires, and the fossil fuel industry.
“Families across the country will not accept any cuts to the programs that keep our air and water clean and protect the outdoors that we all have the right to enjoy, especially when fossil fuel billionaires aren’t just being spared from the cuts, but are reaping huge benefits. We expect the Senate to do right by the American people they represent, if the House will not, and reject this dangerous dirty proposal.”