Rep. Richmond Statement on Executive Order to Weaken Environmental Protections

Press Release

Today, Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-02) issued the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order that undermines environmental laws in exchange for expedited approval of infrastructure projects impacted by COVID-19:

"President Trump is exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to achieve his long-planned goal of attacking environmental laws partially intended to protect our vulnerable communities from harmful emissions," said Rep. Richmond. "Not only does his executive order dismiss the threat of global warming, it also threatens the very communities that have disproportionately suffered from COVID-19 as a result of increased air pollution. These communities, many of which are communities of color, desperately need strong environmental protections and cannot afford to see them indiscriminately rolled back.

"While I share the desire to improve our infrastructure, Louisianans deserve a safer environment to raise their families in. Waiving environmental protections will only put our communities in harm's way now and for years to come. If we are to achieve that goal, the President's actions are clearly a step in the wrong direction."

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