Donald Trump’s EPA Prioritizes Industry Profits Over Saving Americans’ Health

Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency plans to stop calculating the benefits of curbing air pollution of two of the most widespread and deadly air pollutants on human health, a reversal of decades-old practice. The EPA has taken health effects, such as asthma and premature death, into account in the cost-benefit analysis for clean-air regulations. Now, according to the New York Times, it will only evaluate the costs to “businesses of complying with the rules.” The move could make it easier to repeal limits on these pollutants for coal-burning power plants, oil refineries, steel mills, and other industrial facilities across the country.

In response, DNC Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement:

“The Trump administration makes no attempt to hide its willingness to put the health of millions of Americans at risk to appease billionaires and powerful corporations. Trump claims to be ‘America First,’ yet his policies consistently put Americans last. Americans deserve leaders who protect their health — not ones who sell them out for profit.”