EPA
Republicans
Fail in their Bid to Defund the
EPA
U.S.
Rep. Fred Upton's bill HR 910 would end EPA's ability
to protect Michigan families This new bill, H.R. 910, would not only block the Environmental Protection Agency's limits on dangerous carbon dioxide pollution, but would also overturn scientific findings regarding the threats posed by global warming, and even block states from moving ahead with their own standards to clean up pollution from cars. H.R. 910 would permanently end the EPAs ability to protect Michigan families, and especially our young children, from greenhouse gases emitted from stationary sources. The bill would also end any protection from mobile sources after 2016. That only gives the citizens of our great state five more years of clean air and protected services from the EPA if this bill is approved. These attacks on our land, air and water are unacceptable. Rep. Upton was elected to protect our health, rights and natural resources, not destroy them. We need a modern environmental policy that allows for the protection of all natural resources for future generations. Protecting Michigans natural water resources is something we should all do. It is sound economic planning (tourism) that gives our state an advantage over several other states in our region. What other state can brag about its endless access to fresh water and the Great Lakes? I am extremely
disappointed that Rep. Upton is voting for legislation that
attacks the health of every Michigan family. I wish he would
think long and hard about his actions. The future health of
the citizens of our state is too important not to draft and
implement sound environmental bills that make sense.
Therefore, I encourage Rep. Upton and all Michigan citizens
to not support the passage of H.R. 910. Kochs Congress proposes to defund the EPA The EPA was set up in 1970 with a mandate to protect public health Our health. Our childrens health. Things were not so different in America at that timean unpopular war, a recession-ridden economybut we knew then that we have to protect the environment in order to protect our own health. Back then we had rivers catching on fire, today it's a global climate disaster. After 40 years we still need the EPA to ensure that the financial desires of greedy industry leaders dont trump our needs as people. The government is supposed to work for the best interests of its citizens. Its the very reason why lawmakers in a democracy have a job to begin with. These needs have not changed, but many members of Congress seem to think that we dont matter and dont care anymore. They want to pass a continuing resolution that would cut $3 BILLION from EPA funding, eliminate its top positions, and block its ability to require that wealthy companies reduce carbon pollution. With no one to run the EPA, no money to run it with, and few tools to do anything, the EPA would barely be more than a ceremonial body. With no one to protect Americans from dirty industries, they will continue to profit by taking unnecessary health, financial, and emotional risks. Asthma. Cancer. Tuberculosis. Infant mortality. So why would the government take such incredibly high risks? The answer is simple: this is Kochs Congress. The Koch Brothers, Big Oil, and Big Coal are filling our politicians pockets with dirty campaign money that results in dirty energy policies like the proposal to cripple the EPA. They say theyre slashing the budget to save money and jobs, but how does that explain the $500,000,000,000 (yes, half a trillion) that Americans have to pay for coal-related problems, or the one million jobs that Americans stand to lose as a result of these cuts? Its time to step
up and remind lawmakers who really put them in office.
Its time to remind them that were still here,
were still calling the shots, and were still
demanding they ensure a healthy economy AND environment for
us and for our children.
Here's just one reason the Koch Brothers don't want the EPA snooping around. This bill states that here is established scientific concern over warming of the climate system based upon evidence from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level; (2) addressing climate change is an inter national issue, involving complex scientific and economic considerations; (3) the United States has a role to play in re solving global climate change matters on an international basis; and (4) Congress should fulfill that role by developing policies that do not adversely affect the American economy, energy supplies, and employment. (Editor: Note the bill shows not one iota of concern for children, adults, seniors, people's health, nor the environment - air, water, soil). One of the first signs of a deteriating culture - corporate greed over the good of its people.) Passed the House of Representatives April 7, 2011. Women Men Total 11 84 11 81 4 (36%) 39 (48%) - 3 - 2 (67%)
Mr. UPTON (for himself, Mr. PETERSON, Mr. RAHALL, Mr. WHITFIELD, Mr. BOREN, Mr. BARTON of Texas, Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS, Mr. WALDEN, Mr. SULLIVAN, and Mr. MCKINLEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce Additional sponsors: Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. HALL, Mr. LUCAS, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. OLSON, Mr. GUTHRIE, Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois, Mr. POMPEO, Mr. TERRY, Mrs. BONO MACK, Mr. CASSIDY, Mr. SCALISE, Mr. LATTA, Mrs. MYRICK, Mr. BURGESS, Mr. GINGREY of Georgia, Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia, Mrs. BACHMANN, Mr. BENISHEK, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio, Mr. GIBBS, Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan, Mr. RIBBLE, Mrs. NOEM, Mr. GARDNER, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mrs. SCHMIDT, Mr. WALBERG, Mr. CAMP, Mr. STEARNS, Mr. FLORES, Mrs. BIGGERT, Mr. PALAZZO, Mr. RENACCI, Mr. AUSTRIA, Mrs. LUMMIS, Mr. STIVERS, Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. RUNYAN, Mr. ROGERS of Michigan, Mr. HARPER, Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. JORDAN, Mr. NEUGEBAUER, Mr. TIBERI, Mr. REHBERG, Mr. SMITH of Nebraska, Mr. FLEMING, Mr. CANSECO, Mr. KLINE, Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. BUCSHON, Mr. LANDRY, Mr. PENCE, Mr. CARTER, Mr. POSEY, Mr. FLAKE, Mr. POE of Texas, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. TURNER, Ms. JENKINS, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. KELLY, Mr. FARENTHOLD, Mr. TIPTON, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. FLEISCHMANN, Mr. GRAVES of Missouri, Mr. REED, Mr. HURT, Mr. ROONEY, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. BERG, Mr. YOUNG of Indiana, Mr. GOSAR, Mr. ROE of Tennessee, Mr. ROKITA, Mr. PITTS, Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California, Mrs. EMERSON, and Mr. THORNBERRY
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