U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D- NJ), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), founders and co-chairs of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, today applauded the Biden-Harris Administration’s release of Equity Action Plans by more than 90 federal agencies that lay out strategies to advance equity and address the systemic barriers harming underserved communities. The Equity Action Plans include vital commitments to environmental justice.
“I am thrilled to see the Biden-Harris Administration use its executive power to continually find ways to promote equity and racial justice within the federal government. With the recent onslaught of state laws that target marginalized groups and communities, it is more important now than ever that we leverage the power of the federal government to protect and benefit those who have historically been left behind or faced discrimination. From addressing legacy pollution in environmental justice communities to ensuring access to housing, or providing benefits for our veterans, there is always more we can be doing to right our past wrongs and give all Americans a chance for opportunity, dignity, and prosperity,” said Senator Carper. “I applaud the administration’s plan and look forward to using my position as Chairman to help implement the goals and objectives found within this historic agenda.”
“I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for implementing racial justice and equity initiatives across more than 90 federal agencies to help underserved communities that are too often overlooked by the federal government,” said Senator Booker. “I look forward to continuing my work with the administration and the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus on more actions to achieve environmental justice, including remediating Superfund sites, replacing lead water pipes, and developing frameworks to evaluate and address the impact of pollution on underserved communities. This administration has taken critical steps to build a fairer and more prosperous America for all, and today’s release of agency-specific Equity Action Plans is another important step forward.”
“For too long, our most toxic, polluting industries have been located next door to Black, Brown, Indigenous and low-income communities at the expense of their health while too many in power have looked the other way,” said Senator Duckworth. “Racial justice and equity should be prioritized in every aspect of our nation—including in environmental justice and climate action. I’m proud to see that the Biden administration is heeding the call of our Environmental Justice Caucus and countless EJ advocates by making an explicit commitment of helping protect the environments of long-underserved communities.”
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