Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) voted against House Republicans’ top legislative priority due to provisions that would pad the profits of fossil fuel corporations by undermining environmental protections and limiting the ability of families to sue for toxic chemical spills and corporate pollution.

“Republicans’ Polluters Over People Act is a disaster of a bill. Not only does this legislation prioritize massive giveaways to Big Oil, gas corporations, and mining companies, but it sells out hardworking families who want nothing more than to breathe clean air and drink clean water,” Congresswoman Trahan said on the House floor. “This bill has the fingerprints of Big Oil lobyists all over it. But perhaps the most embarrassing part of this bill is how good of a return on investment it is for fossil fuel companies. I’d imagine that’s because the same Big Oil corporations that stand to benefit most from this bill have donated millions to Republican politicians over the years.”

To view Trahan’s speech during debate on the House floor over Republicans’ H.R. 1, CLICK HERE or the image below. A full transcript of her remarks as delivered can be accessed HERE.

Despite Big Oil corporations shattering quarterly and annual profit records over the past year, the legislation passed along near party lines today:

• Rolls back oil and gas leasing reforms by lowering royalty rates, repealing interest fees, and reinstating noncompetitive leasing.
• Rubber-stamps the construction of new natural gas pipelines while blocking critical federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency from the review process.
• Removes the requirement that Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports be determined to be in the public interest before being sent overseas, tearing down guardrails that prevent U.S. adversaries from purchasing American gas they can use to manipulate the markets.
• Weakens enforcement of nearly all environmental and public health laws by dramatically limiting the statute of limitations for unlawful permit decisions — like those required by the Clean Air Act or Clean Water Act — to 120 days.
• Grants so-called “critical energy resource” facilities – such as petroleum refineries that release air toxics like benzene and use hydrofluoric acid linked to catastrophic chemical disasters – amnesty for any violations of federal, state, or local environmental law.
• Erodes the new chemicals review process under the bipartisan Toxic Substances Control Act, to allow new chemicals, including toxic PFAS chemicals, on the market without any consideration of safety.
• Limits public input on environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act and allows fossil fuel corporations to conduct their own reviews, creating an obvious conflict of interest.
• Repeals the $4.5 billion home electrification rebate program designed to lower energy bills for American families.

The legislation passed the House today with a 225-204 margin.

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