Washington, D.C. – As the House Natural Resources Committee takes up the Environmental Justice For All Act today, the League of Conservation Voters issued the following statement from Deputy Legislative Director Madeleine Foote:

“Today’s full-committee markup of the Environmental Justice For All Act is a historic step toward addressing generations of systemic and persistent racism directed at environmental justice communities nationwide. LCV commends the leadership of Chair Raúl Grijalva, Representative Donald McEachin, and the hundreds of environmental activists involved in writing and advancing the most comprehensive environmental justice legislation in U.S. history.

“Justice is long overdue for communities of color and low wealth communities who have been historically overburdened by the impacts of pollution and are now more greatly impacted by the climate crisis. For one of the first times in history, environmental justice communities that have long been excluded are now at the table, collaborating and leading the conversations to craft this critical legislation. It is imperative that Congress continue to listen to their voices by quickly voting on and passing the Environmental Justice for All Act and prioritizing equitable solutions that reduce pollution in overburdened communities and strengthen their right to protect themselves against environmental racism.”

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