Congressman Horsford Advocates for Achieving Environmental Justice for All

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04), participated in a historic legislative hearing entitled, "Achieving Environmental Justice For All,'' in the House Natural Resources Committee. The hearing focused on H.R. 5986, the Environmental Justice for All Act, a bill to restore, reaffirm, and reconcile environmental and civil rights and to create the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement.

"Nevadans from every background and walk of life have the right to pure air, clean water, and an environment that enriches life. As a Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, it is my duty to fight for environmental justice, health equity, and climate justice for all underserved communities," said Congressman Horsford. "I am proud to support the Environmental Justice for All Act, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change while directly addressing societal problems like economic inequality and racial injustice."

Video of the Congressman's testimony can bewatched and downloaded here.

The Environmental Justice for All Act enjoys support from: Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, Climate Justice Alliance, Environmental Defense Fund, Earthjustice, Creation Justice Ministries, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services, Moving Forward Network, Black Millennials 4 Flint, Delaware Concerned Residents for Environmental Justice, Western Environmental Law Center, Union of Concerned Scientists, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, Choose Clean Water Coalition, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda.

A transcript of the Congressman's remarks can be found below:

For too long, communities of color, indigenous communities, and economically oppressed communities have borne a disproportionate burden from toxic pollution and environmental degradation.

Communities experiencing environmental injustice have been subjected to systemic racial, social, and economic and injustices and face a disproportionate burden of adverse human health and environmental effects, a high risk of intentional, unconscious, and structural discrimination, and disproportional energy burdens.

Conclusions from scientists at the National Center for Environmental Assessment confirm that Black people are exposed to about 1.5 times more particulate matter than their White counterparts.

The consequences of this are dire. Across the U.S., Black people are dying from COVID-19 at disproportionately high rates, and the links between exposure to pollutants and your life expectancy are undeniable.

This important legislation is necessary to ensure economic justice for all Americans.

Mr. Chairman, I'd like to introduce two letters for the record. The first is from the Texas Environmental Advocacy Services which states that environmental justice must "strengthen the Civil Rights Act to ensure that citizens can rely on a more equitable process to protect their right to a clean environment as a means of addressing environmental discrimination."

I'd also like to introduce a letter for the record from the Alliance from Appalachia which states that the Environmental Justice For All Act is landmark legislation that is "rooted in the moral principle that all people have the right to clean air, water, and soil."

I would now like to turn to our panelists. Dr. Bullard, it is obvious that communities of color are bearing the greatest burden as a result of environmental injustice. Can you please explain how the Census count this year can help improve the health disparities for these communities of color?

Dr. Bullard, how are civil rights violations within agency environmental programs currently managed?

In your view, how would the amendments to Title VI of the civil rights act included in this legislation improve the quality of life for EJ communities on the ground that struggle for justice?

Dr. McClain, a lot of my population in my District is urban and consists of communities of color. Can you explain how this bill and it's NEPA provisions will benefit my constituents?