WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore) are joining legislation that could codify the Office of Environmental Justice.
This follows Attorney General Pam Bondi’s order that eliminated environment justice efforts for the department, according to a press release.
Bondi’s order came shortly after President Donald Trump’s order to end Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives throughout federal agencies and the Trump administration’s termination of division attorneys responsible for environmental violation prosecutions, according to the press release.
The legislation would strengthen Department of Justice efforts to enforce environmental laws and support environmental enforcement capacities, according to the release.
“The attack on environmental justice is an attack on the millions of Americans relying on clean air and clean water across our country,” Wyden said. “Federal agencies have a responsibility to protect our communities – not tear down solutions that keep people healthy for generations.”
More information on the legislation can be found online.