Lung Association Urges House to Reject Congressional Review Act Resolutions that Will Block Critical Health Benefits

As the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to vote this week on extreme legislation that would permanently block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s actions to reduce dangerous carbon pollution from power plants, Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association, issued the following statement about Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions S.J. Res. 23 and S.J. Res. 24:

"The American Lung Association urges all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to stand up for their constituents' health and vote against any attempt to block the Clean Power Plan for existing power plants or EPA's final rules to reduce carbon pollution from new and modified sources. The use of the Congressional Review Act to block these significant clean air safeguards continues the discouraging trend of attacking the Clean Air Act, a law that has helped save millions of lives since 1970.

"This week, eight national health and medical organizations joined the Lung Association in expressing support for the Clean Power Plan. In a letter to all Members of the House, we urged Representatives to oppose legislation that would permanently block EPA safeguards to reduce carbon pollution and other dangerous emissions from new and existing power plants.

"Blocking the Clean Power Plan means depriving the American people of significant health benefits. The Clean Power Plan is estimated to prevent up to 3,600 premature deaths and 90,000 asthma attacks in 2030, as well as prevent 300,000 missed days of work and school.

"The Clean Power Plan plays a critical role in our fight to protect those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including children, people with asthma and people living in low-income communities. We urge the House to vote in the best interest of public health and reject any legislation that would thwart EPA's effort to reduce carbon pollution and protect the health of the American people."