President Obama today vetoed an attempt by the GOP-led Congress to gut Clean Water Rule protections for water bodies that American families rely on for fishing, swimming, and drinking water. While this bill did not pass with a veto-proof margin, the episode highlights what Americans can expect if the next president is willing to sign the anti-environment legislation that regularly passes in the Republican Congress.
The leading contenders for the GOP nomination have expressed a desire to significantly curb and even end the EPA’s ability to keep our water and air safe and clean. Last October during an appearance on FOX News Sunday, leading presidential candidate Donald Trump told host Chris Wallace that he intended to “cut” the EPA altogether.
“Environmental Protection, what they do is a disgrace. Every week they come out with new regulations. They’re making it impossible,” Trump said. “Who’s going to protect the environment?” Wallace asked. “We’ll be fine with the environment,” Trump replied. “We can leave a little bit, but you can’t destroy businesses.”
But U.S. businesses increasingly back action on climate change and 80 percent of small business owners support the recent Clean Water Rule. In fact, GOP donors who understand the importance of environmental protection to the U.S. economy are growing dismayed as the party’s candidates continue to refuse to engage on the issue, according to the National Journal. “They think if we mention carbon reduction, it’s shutting down American industry. You and I know that’s not true,” said Republican donor Andy Sabin, president of the New York-based refining company Sabin Metal Corporation.
GOP lawmakers have vowed to continue their efforts to undermine EPA regulations such as the Clean Water Rule, which makes it all the more important that the rest of us continue our efforts to elect pro-environment political leaders at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.