Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on her opposition to attempts by Republicans to undermine regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce carbon emissions that threaten our health and contribute to global climate change.

The resolutions, H.J. Res. 71 and H.J. Res. 72, express disapproval of the Clean Power Plan, which establishes emission guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to control carbon pollution from existing power plants and creates standards for limiting carbon pollution from newer and modified power plants. H.J. Res. 71 passed by a 235-188 vote. H.J. Res. 72 passed by a 242-180 vote. Congresswoman Clarke voted “no” on both resolutions.

“Pollution from power plants, particularly plants that burn coal, has terrible consequences for our health, contributing to asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and resulting in global climate change that has already increased the severity of storms and threatens to displace many people around the world as temperatures increase and the level of the ocean rises. Existing regulations under the Clean Air Act have – despite false claims from fossil fuel producers – dramatically improved the air quality we enjoy and have expanded our economy. Many older American remember a time when smog alerts were a regular occurrence in our cities – a problem with which young Americans are entirely (and fortunately) unfamiliar. Now, we have the opportunity, with the  Clean Power Plan developed by the Environmental Protection Agency, to continue that effort to protect the health of Americans, create jobs, and reduce our contributions to global climate change.”

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, the Committee on Ethics and the Committee of Small Business in the House of Representatives, proudly represents Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, Park Slope, Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.