WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) voted in the minority, 247-180, against a partisan effort in the House to undermine a proposed rule to fight climate change.
The bill that she opposed would delay a recent ruling by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce carbon emissions, sometimes referred to as greenhouse gas, by states and existing fossil-fuel power plants, resulting in a veto threat from President Obama.
“The health and safety of the American people should be our top priority,” said Rep. Davis. “Climate change is already having a direct impact with severe weather incidents occurring in the United States and around the world. Throughout our history efforts to reduce pollution have had positive results on the environment. We have a responsibility to future generations to come together in a bipartisan fashion and address climate change.”
In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that greenhouse gases were air pollutants as defined by the Clean Air Act. The Court’s decision allowed the EPA, as directed by President Obama, to move forward with its current emissions reduction rule, which it estimates would cut carbon emissions as much as 30 percent below 2005 levels.
The United States already restricts emissions of mercury, arsenic and lead pollution from power plants, but it does not limit carbon pollution. The President’s Clean Power Plan would mark the first time the United States has placed standards on carbon emissions.
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Articles about Jewish women in Congress are sponsored by Laura Galinson in memory of her father, Murray Galinson.
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