Trump Administration Chooses Once Again to Attack America’s Health and Environment

“It’s clear that the Trump administration has not learned its lesson that America’s health and environment are never to be put on the chopping block. The call for cuts of more than 30 percent to EPA’s budget—as well as harmful cuts to the budgets of other agencies vital to protecting American families from the dangers of pollution, toxics, and climate change—should be dead on arrival in Congress.

“The administration’s proposal doubles down on the radical, anti-protection stance that the White House has championed, to the detriment of the American people. The real world result of these cuts would be more asthma attacks, more heart problems, and more air pollution.

“EPA remains critically underfunded. In real dollars, its budget is even less than it was nearly 40 years ago, despite a large increase in responsibilities and major growth in our population and economy. That the agency must carry out its important responsibilities while being stretched so thin is an injustice to American communities at the front lines of pollution and global warming.

“EPA’s budget should be increased at least as much as other agencies that protect the health and safety of the American people. EPA is, after all, an agency dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of American children and families everywhere.”

• Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs