Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Today the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act. The massive defense policy bill includes measures to increase military climate-preparedness, to begin addressing toxic PFAS contamination, and notably to redesignate military installations currently named after prominent Confederate military and political leaders. Trump has threatened to veto the legislation, the latest example of his public defense of the Confederacy and Confederate icons around the country.
In response Sierra Club Military Outdoors campaign manager Rob Vessels released the following statement:
“Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle recognize NDAA as an essential piece of legislation to maintain our military readiness. We’re heartened to see Congress united behind the removal of Confederate names from military bases. These symbols of racism and oppression have no place in today’s military, and removing them is long overdue.
“Though much more remains to be done by the incoming Biden administration, we’re also pleased to see a recognition of the threats posed to service members and their families living with PFAS contamination, and to see the risks from the climate crisis taken seriously.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.