American Lung Association Calls on Senate to Reject House-Passed Dirty Air Bills

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the third of three bills that would weaken Clean Air Act: HR 6387, the “Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events Act,” HR 6409, the “Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability Act,” and HR 6398, the “Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations Act.” In response, American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:

“The American Lung Association has long been a staunch defender of the Clean Air Act, the landmark public health law that has helped millions of people in the U.S. breathe easier. The Clean Air Act is the basis for local, state and national health protections that reduce air pollution that contributes to asthma attacks, worsens respiratory and cardiovascular illness and even causes premature death. The votes taken by members of the House to weaken provisions of the law that ensure communities can continue to see improvements in air quality are dangerous.

“The bills passed by the House are part of a package the Lung Association and other health and environmental advocates have deemed ‘The Smoggy Skies Act’ because they would result in more unhealthy air pollution that makes kids sick.

“Weakening the Clean Air Act does not make communities safer or healthier. We call on the Senate to reject these bills and urge the House to abandon the other legislation in this Smoggy Skies package. Our lungs are counting on it.”