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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi: ‘On this Earth Day, and Every Day, Let Us Again Pledge to Protect Our Children and Our Environment’
“As a mother and grandmother, this year’s Earth Day theme, ‘For our children, for our future,’ has a special significance. All children deserve clean air to breath, clean water to drink, and the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature.
“Unfortunately, on this Earth Day, Republicans have given us little reason to celebrate. This week, Republicans in the House of Representatives voted to open the Arctic National Wildlife to oil drilling. It is shear folly to spoil this unique ecosystem for a six-month supply of oil. If this pristine environment is not special enough to save for our grandchildren, what is?
“Since the first Earth Day 35 years ago, our nation has made great strides toward cleaning up our air and water. Unfortunately, it has taken the Bush Administration less than five years to undue many of those efforts and undermine our major environmental laws.
“The sight of polluted rivers and lakes spurred Americans to action in 1972 with the passage of the Clean Water Act, one of our environmental success stories. But now, the Bush Administration is turning back the clock, slashing funding to replace old sewage plants with new ones. Unless we invest in cleaning up our wastewater, children will not be able to swim or fish in our streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans.
“Air pollution is a serious health hazard to children and adults, causing asthma attacks, bronchitis, heart attacks, and premature deaths. It is clear that the continued enforcement and implementation of the Clean Air Act is imperative to fight polluters. The Administration, however, wants to pass an air pollution bill that will weaken the Clean Air Act, allowing polluters to further contaminate our air.
“The opponents of environmental laws say they are unnecessary because the air and water are getting cleaner. Americans know better, the environment is cleaner because of these landmark bipartisan environmental laws. On this Earth Day, and every day, let us again pledge to protect our children and our environment.”
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
