QUIGLEY STATEMENT ON CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT RESOLUTIONS ATTACKING CLEAN WATER & AIR
WASHINGTON – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), who serves as Vice Chair of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC), released the following statement on Congress’ consideration of House resolutions that would revoke existing federal rules that protect the environment and support American businesses:
“Only one month into their newfound majorities in both Chambers of Congress, Republicans are wasting no time attacking clean air and clean water; once again putting the interests of corporate donors over the health of their constituents and the preservation of our shared environment.
“The Stream Protection Rule was developed over the course of nearly a decade, in concert with the public, businesses and impartial experts to update 30-year-old rules on polluted land and water near coal communities. Now, Republicans want to eliminate it with just an hour of debate, subjecting local residents to higher risks of cancer, birth defects, and heart and lunch disease—all known impacts of exposure to the dangerous toxins this rule addresses.
“At the same time, my Republican colleagues are also moving forward with plans to attack Bureau of Land Management Methane Waste rule, even though it is overwhelmingly popular with residents and businesses in western states and helps create jobs and save money. Wasted methane on federal lands takes millions of dollars out of taxpayers’ pockets each year, and the unused gas contributes to air pollution that has been linked to asthma in children. A rule requiring companies to capture and sell methane on federal land, instead of venting into the air, is smart policy; attacking popular rules that save money and lives is not.
“Eliminating clean air and water protections via a blunt and obscure legislative ploy will only roll back environmental progress and hurt the American people. Voters expect and deserve more from those who represent them in government, and I hope Republicans in Congress will drop their senseless attacks on our environment. Instead, I encourage them to work with us on policies that promote robust, sustained, and clean economic growth.”
During his time in Congress, Rep. Quigley has been a stalwart protector of the environment. Most recently, he spoke to colleagues addressing the urgent realities of climate change and to students and faculty at Northwestern University on the importance of continued climate action in the face of climate denial. After the crisis in Flint, Michigan, he partnered with members of both the House and Senate to help keep children living in public housing safe from toxic lead exposure. He also visited Chicago’s Loyola University to discuss how to implement more bird-safe measures for campus buildings, secured funding for urban flooding measures to help safeguard millions of Chicagoland residents, and introduced legislation to help scientists protect Great Lakes fishery system. Last year, Rep. Quigley toured Chicago to hear from local environmental experts and visit projects geared at reducing Chicago’s contributions to global climate change and preparing to handle already inevitable climate impacts
