Climate Community Joins Congressional Leaders to Oppose Zeldin’s Polluter First Agenda
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 9, 2025
CONTACT: Gabrielle Levy, Glevy@cacampaign.org, (562) 673-697
Climate Community Joins Congressional Leaders to Oppose Zeldin’s Polluter First Agenda
Climate Groups, Congress Call on Administrator Zeldin to Protect People, Not Polluters
WASHINGTON–On Wednesday, the climate community stood united with congressional champions in opposition to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s Polluters First Agenda, which threatens to dismantle over 50 years of lifesaving progress protecting our air, water, land, and climate.
More than 190 climate, clean energy, environmental justice, and public health organizations today released a joint statement decrying Zeldin’s attempts to roll back dozens of clean air, clean water and environmental protections, including the science-based, court-affirmed finding requiring EPA to protect public health by limiting carbon and other pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
"Administrator Zeldin and the Trump administration are proposing a plan that will strip away pollution protections at the same time it gives a green light to the greatest increase in pollution in decades," the statement reads. "As we get sicker, miss more work days, lose our jobs, and deal with extreme costs, polluting industries would get a free pass. The consequences will be felt by people of color, low-income communities, and those on the frontlines the most.
Along with this statement, CAC and its partners have mobilized more than 50,000 individuals from across the nation to oppose Trump and Zeldin’s efforts to undermine the EPA’s mission to safeguard the environment and public health.
The statement and petition are being released alongside an event on Capitol Hill with the lead Democrats on the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee and House Energy & Commerce Committee ranking members Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI., and Rep. Frank Pallone, D-NJ, respectively, and the eight Members of Congress comprising leadership of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), who led a bicameral letter backed by 180 Members of Congress, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, calling out the Trump administration’s blatant betrayal of the EPA’s mission.
CAC director Margie Alt applauded the Members’ actions to hold the Trump administration including Zeldin accountable. “Lee Zeldin isn’t leading the EPA, he’s dismantling it brick by brick, dollar by dollar and person by person. These proposed rollbacks won’t help families or create a safer climate; they will give polluters a gold-plated free pass to harm our communities. Thanks to the Members of Congress who join us in refusing to let Trump and Zeldin and their friends in polluting industries get away with it."
Wednesday’s event headlined by the congressional champions was held at the Senate Swamp and was attended by environmental advocates, public health experts and grassroots leaders from across the country. The joint statement can be found below.
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Climate Action Campaign (CAC) is a vibrant coalition driving ambitious, durable, equitable federal action to tackle the climate crisis. By cutting carbon pollution and accelerating the transition to clean energy, we will improve public health and create a more resilient economy and a more sustainable future for all.
