Government Shutdown Would Endanger the Public and the Environment

“Earlier today, President Trump signaled he would not sign a short-term spending bill that would extend government funding until February 8, 2019. It has already been passed by the U.S. Senate. As the threat of a shutdown looms, the Environmental Defense Fund urges President Trump to avoid partisan games and work together to provide necessary funding to programs that are essential to protecting people’s health and the environment.

“Even a shutdown for a small amount of time can set administrative and organizational productivity back for weeks, preventing the public from accessing important information and delaying lifesaving activities at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For example, the EPA would be forced to pause hazardous waste cleanups, regulatory inspections and approvals. Without these critical services, the true victim of a government shutdown is the American public. Moving the funding bill forward is necessary to our nationwide fight against threats to our health and environment.”