Democrats in Congress want to save a Justice Department office established by the Biden administration to fight pollution in communities of color and low-income areas.
The “Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act,” a bicameral bill introduced Tuesday by Sen. Alex Padilla and Rep. Nanette Díaz Barragán, both Democrats from California, follows orders from President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at DOJ and across the federal government.
“The Trump Administration’s systematic elimination of environmental justice efforts completely abandons millions of Americans whose communities have suffered from toxic pollution for decades,” Padilla said in a statement announcing the legislation.
“Every federal agency has a responsibility to provide justice to these communities, and I remain committed to guaranteeing clean air and water for all,” he continued. “Our legislation would ensure that the Department of Justice holds polluters accountable for environmental crimes and works directly with communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis to rectify longstanding environmental harms.”
