Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v. EPA undermining the Clean Air Act and subverting decades of established law:
“Today’s decision makes a mockery of the clear separation of powers outlined in our Constitution and subverts decades of settled law. The Clean Air Act is emphatically clear that EPA has both the authority and the obligation to protect public health and regulate dangerous air pollution like greenhouse gases. The Supreme Court’s blatant dismissal of the will of Congress is an alarming display of hubris, the consequences of which will be felt far beyond this case.
“There is no doubt that this decision is the result of years of coordinated, calculated efforts by Republicans and polluting special interests to undermine Americans’ right to clean, safe air. No one is safer or freer for this decision. All the Court has achieved today is putting Americans in the crosshairs of dangerous air pollution and a growing climate crisis which threatens us all.
“Still, today’s decision does not derail our commitment or ability to achieve our climate goals. We must redouble our efforts to enact robust climate programs and investments to address the crisis we face. EPA continues to have many powerful tools at its disposal and there is more both Congress and the President can do to meet the climate crisis head-on. I am determined to get the job done.”
In January, Pallone led a delegation of 192 congressional Democrats in submitting an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in this case. The brief was signed by 163 Members of the House of Representatives and 29 Senators.
Original source can be found here.
