Washington, D.C. — In anticipation of the passage of The Moving Forward Act, H.R. 2, through the U.S. House of Representatives, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and LCV’s Chispa organizing program issued the following statements:

Matthew Davis, LCV Legislative Director:

“This sweeping infrastructure plan is an important down payment on a healthy and safe clean energy economy that would put clean energy workers back to work now, improve water systems, protect public health, reduce pollution, build more resilient and equitable communities, and preserve nature. 

“We commend the pro-environment-led House for the pieces of this package and some of its amendments that directly confront environmental racism that exposes Black, Indigenous, and people of color to higher levels of toxic pollution. We are especially thrilled to see two amendments that would be immediately beneficial to the health and well-being of children of color: Congresswoman Hayes’ amendment to support clean, electric school buses and Congresswoman Tlaib’s amendment to replace lead drinking water pipes. All of our children have the right to breathe clean air and drink clean water — we must transition to clean, electric school buses and get poisonous lead out of our drinking water. The Senate should move quickly to pass this bill so we can get to the important longer term work outlined in the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis’ Action Plan.”

Johana Vicente, Chispa National Director:

“Black, Indigenous and children of color deserve to breathe clean air, especially on their way to and from school. Dirty diesel school buses are putting the health of millions of children at risk, especially Black, Indigenous, and Latinx children who already bear the burden of environmental pollution. Congress must follow the lead of states across the country that have begun the transition to zero-emission, electric school buses. By prioritizing our children’s health, we can start to build a more just and equitable clean energy future.” 

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