Pelosi Statement on Trump Administration Attack on California & National Clean Air Protections
Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616
San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi issued this statement on the Trump Administration announcement that included proposals to freeze fuel economy standards and revoke California's ability to set auto emissions standards that protect clean air when federal standards fall short of what is needed to protect communities' health:
"The Trump Administration's plan is a dangerous assault on clean air and public health in California and across the nation.
"President Trump's illegal and unjust attack on the vital clean air protections set by California and the 12 states that join it will choke our communities with smog. Californians have seen and felt the impact of smog on our lives, and we will relentlessly defend our state's right to protect the air our children breathe with robust fuel economy and pollution standards when federal standards fall short. We will continue to work with automakers to overcome the Trump obstruction to build cleaner, more affordable and safe vehicles for our communities.
"Republicans' cynical special interest agenda is endangering public health in every community in our country. The Trump culture of corruption has put the American people's health, economic security and futures under direct, dire threat, as the President and his donor-driven cronies relentlessly put billions in the pockets of big polluters who are dismantling protections for clean air, clean water and public lands. From pulling out of the Paris Agreement, pushing reckless executive orders to undermine clean air and clean water, to giving dirty power plants the green light to pollute our communities, the Administration is actively harming hard-working communities across the country.
"House Democrats are committed to fighting for a clean energy future for our children that creates the good-paying jobs of the future, takes bold action to fight the devastation of the climate crisis and safeguards our environment for generations to come. We will never stop fighting to defend life-saving protections for Americans' clean air, pocketbooks and manufacturing jobs."
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