WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) released the following statement regarding his vote against the “Dirty Air Act,” which passed Congress this afternoon. The bill eliminates the enforcement authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate any pollutant currently understood to impact climate change.
“The bill passed by the Majority today basically said ‘science doesn’t matter.’ It is one more example of their support for extremist policies not backed by truth,” said Himes. “We need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and enact policies that encourage the use and development of American renewable fuels, especially clean energy options. Planning for a safe and secure future means preserving our planet to ensure your children and mine have safe air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a secure supply of energy. Unfortunately this legislation would worsen our addiction to oil and eliminate most of the rules we have in place to protect the planet for future generations.”