SEEC Slams Republicans’ Unlawful and Repeated Attacks on California’s Right to Clean Air

Washington, D.C. – The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko and Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Sean Casten, Mike Levin, and Chellie Pingree, released the following statement in response to House Republicans’ passage of two resolutions (H.J.Res. 210 and H.J.Res. 213) that overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Act waivers for California’s air pollution standards for ocean-going vessels and commercial harbor craft.  

“House Republicans have once again demonstrated their top priority in Congress is weakening pollution regulations at the behest of corporate polluters. Despite cancelling Congress for half of September, House Republicans decided to spend their last week of legislating on attacking California’s air pollution regulations for cargo ships, oil tankers, and other commercial vessels. While our families and communities are facing skyrocketing prices in every aspect of daily life, Republicans’ only answer is to further weaken our environmental laws and unleash more toxic air pollution on the American people.

“This out-of-touch Republican majority continues to renege on their promise to make America healthy or great again. For so-called advocates of states’ rights, Republicans are more than willing to overrule any state that takes action to protect the health and well-being of their own residents. The Clean Air Act explicitly states that California has a legal right to address air pollution within its borders, and for more than half a century, Republican and Democratic Administrations have approved California’s use of this authority more than 100 times. Over 90% of Californians are exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution at some point during the year, and California’s right to set its own air quality standards has been essential to reducing the health problems associated with air pollution in the state, such as asthma attacks, strokes, heart disease, cancer, and premature death.

“This is not just an attack on California. It is a rejection of every American who wants their government to provide clean air and a healthier life.”