FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2025
CONTACT:
Aaron Bharucha, Communications Associate
(509) 429-1699 and epn-press@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org
Trump’s Assault on EPA Has Begun
Executive Orders Put the Interests of Polluters Ahead of People’s Health
“President Trump’s assault on the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to protect people’s health has begun,” said Environmental Protection Network Executive Director, Michelle Roos, “and will take a heavy toll on all of us. By putting the interests of polluters ahead of people’s health, these orders will put millions of Americans needlessly at risk of cancer, lung disease, heart disease, asthma, and more.”
“This is only the start,” said Roos. “Incoming administration officials have promised to ‘traumatize’ EPA staff to drive EPA’s non-partisan scientists and other experts out the door and replace them with political loyalists and polluter lobbyists. This will have a devastating impact on the ability of EPA to protect people’s health and the environment. Further, this executive overreach undermines Congress’ constitutional responsibility to determine agency funding and staffing levels.”
EPA’s annual budget accounts for less than 0.2% (two-tenths of one percent) of the federal budget. Much of its budget flows to states and municipalities for programs such as building wastewater treatment and drinking water infrastructure. Even as EPA has tackled emerging public health threats such as toxic forever chemicals (PFAS), its budget and staffing has been falling. In real dollars, EPA’s budget is 15% lower today than it was under President Bush and 20% lower than it was under President Clinton.
During Trump’s first term, his proposals for deep budget cuts at EPA were voted down on a bipartisan basis in Congress. Public support has only grown stronger, even among Trump supporters, according to polling conducted immediately following the 2024 elections.
Michelle Roos is available to speak to the media.