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Schakowsky Condemns Trump's Assault on Clean Air

August 2, 2018

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip and member of the Safe Climate Caucus, released the following statement in response to President Trump's announcement that it intends to roll back fuel economy and emissions standards (known as CAFE standards) for cars and trucks. Rep. Schakowsky also joined Rep. Mark DeSaulnier and 58 other Democrats in introducing H.Con.Res 130, a bicameral resolution opposing this move and supporting the rights of states to protect their citizens from harmful air pollution.

"Yet again, President Trump is bringing progress to a screeching halt and setting the United States back by decades. Fuel efficiency standards reduce carbon emissions, help confront climate change, and save Americans money. Achievable higher standards would only add to these benefits. Instead, this Trump Administration move will do untold damage to the air that our children and grandchildren breathe and will end up costing people more at the pump. The ravaging environmental and public health effects of this and President Trump's countless other assaults on our planet will be felt for generations.

"The United States must take its place as a leader in the global fight against climate change, not as a leader in further polluting the environment. Despite President Trump's retrograde actions, there are more of us who believe that we must be doing more to keep our air, water, and public lands clean and free of pollution. We will fight back against the President's assault."