Statement on the Passage of H.R. 1965, H.R. 2728, and H.R. 1900

Washington, DC (November 21, 2013) – Rep. Schakowsky released the following statement in response to this week’s House passage of three bills that would limit environmental review and public participation in the leasing of federal lands, give away federal authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing operations on federal lands, and force decisions to approve or deny oil and gas pipeline permits before a thorough review of the environmental and public health impacts can be completed:

“There is broad scientific consensus that climate change is real and is in large part the result of human activity. But instead of putting forth legislation that would address that ever-growing crisis, the House this week moved forward on three bills that would weaken protections for federal lands and the environment. Each bill represents the interests of energy producers outweighing those of our country.

“Our window to take action to slow and reverse climate change is rapidly closing, and we must work to reduce emissions and support clean energy technologies so that we can lead the world away from preventable disaster. These bills don’t just ignore the crisis we are staring in the face – they would take us in the opposite direction by accelerating the fossil fuel production that is causing climate change in the first place. I will continue to fight for stronger protections for public health and the environment and oppose reckless efforts to allow cowboy capitalism to override common sense.”

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