NRDC’s Gina McCarthy on Devastating Proposed EPA Budget Cut

WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler will testify before the U.S. House subcommittee on environment and climate change today to argue in support of President Trump’s devastating proposed 27% cut to the agency’s budget.

The proposal would slash staff to the lowest level in 35 years. It would reduce or eliminate vital aid our states depend on to enforce the laws Congress has passed to protect clean water and air. And it would hinder EPA’s ability to tackle the biggest environmental challenge of our lifetime: the climate crisis.

A statement follows from Gina McCarthy, President and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

“Now is not the time to gut the agency. Now is the time to strengthen it.

“Trump’s budget puts polluters first and cuts the legs out of the agency’s ability to keep us safe. It fails miserably to live up to EPA’s mission, and all of us will end up paying dearly for these devastating cuts.

“The American dream has always been about creating a better future for the next generation, but this budget all but assures that we will fall backwards.  It is out of touch with our values and ignores the pleas of the vast majority of Americans who are calling for clean air, clean water and healthy lands.

“EPA is the nation’s last line of defense against pollution that threatens the health and future of all Americans nationwide. We are counting on Congress to stand up for American values and protect us from those who prefer to protect polluters than people.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at NRDC.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​