Senate GOP’s Looming Attacks on Health Protections Raise Specter of Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON (June 18, 2014) — Senate Republicans are putting the country on the path toward another government showdown by aiming to lard up appropriations bills with amendments that block the first-ever federal standards on carbon pollution from power plants and cripple protections for important waterways.

Franz Matzner, associate director of government affairs at the Natural Resources Defense Council, made this comment about efforts to keep the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from doing its job:

“There they go again: radical Republicans are hurtling toward another senseless and costly government shutdown. This time, it’s over critically-needed standards to clean up our air and water, improve public health and strike a blow against climate change. The GOP has amnesia when it comes to remembering that Americans loathe shutdowns but overwhelmingly support the EPA protecting our air, water and health. Let’s hope they wake up soon, before they harm our economy and future generations.”