With fresh attacks on clean air, clean water, and open spaces, Congress seems intent on making a bad situation for America's environment even worse! (We don't know why, so we asked them.) As much as we would like not to believe it, it seems as though the Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives is trying to pull a fast one on the American people and our lands and waters.
They are trying to launch sneak attacks on our health, environment, and quality of life by adding dangerous anti-environmental language to critical spending and tax bills that need to be settled before Congress goes home in a week.
These add-ons to the bills, or "riders", represent the 1% who would rather reap corporate- polluter profits than have our lands provide the clean air and water, exceptional outdoor activities, and sustainable jobs that 100% of Americans depend on for sustenance, fun and work.
Ahead of the vote, The Wilderness Society sent a letter to Congressional leadership asking them to block any anti-environmental riders. There are more than 50 of these anti-environment, anti-open-spaces, anti-health, and anti-science riders lined up. Here are some of the worst.
- Uranium mining that threatens the Grand Canyon. This rider would allow for extensive uranium mining right next to the Grand Canyon, potentially endangering an iconic landmark as well as some of America's most important water resources.
The House Republican leadership is wading into dangerous waters by trying to sneak these dangerous riders into badly needed funding legislation, threatening to shutter the government if they don't get their way.
Congress needs to stick to the people's business and stop endangering our health and environment.