House Passes Bill That Would Stall Smog Protections, Put Public Health at Risk

“Today, at the height of the summer smog season, the U.S. House of Representatives just passed a bill that would ensure that the air we breathe has fewer protections – and that more people would suffer.

“The Ozone Standards Implementation Act (H.R. 806) would delay enforcement of America’s new, stronger smog protections for almost a decade – until 2025. That would mean years during which we would have 230,000 extra childhood asthma attacks every year, along with higher levels of other serious lung diseases and premature deaths.

“There’s a large and growing body of scientific studies that shows air pollution is dangerous even at lower levels than those considered in this legislation. 700 health professionals from all 50 states have urged Congress to not weaken our Clean Air Act protections. We need more protection air pollution. Instead, Rep. Pete Olson of Texas and the other House Members who voted for this bill want to block the protections we already established.

“There’s no good reason to put the health of American families at risk for years into the future – and no excuse for a vote to pass this bill. The measure passed once before and then died in the Senate. Let’s hope our Senators recognize its dangers and grant it the same fate now.”

            - Elizabeth Thompson, president of EDF Action